11 million lives lost each year due to neurological disorders

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report titled ‘Global Status Report on Neurology’ on October 14.

• It warns that less than one in three countries around the world has a national policy to address the growing burden of neurological disorders, responsible for over 11 million deaths globally each year. 

• It revealed that neurological conditions now affect more than 40 per cent of the global population — over 3 billion people.

• WHO calls for urgent, evidence-based and coordinated global action to prioritise brain health and expand neurological care.

Key points of the report:

• Neurological disorders represent the leading cause of ill health and disability globally.

• It poses a major and growing global  health challenge, with wide-ranging health, social and economic impacts. 

The top 10 neurological conditions contributing to death and disability as of 2021 were: 

i) Stroke

ii) Neonatal encephalopathy

iii) Migraine

iv) Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

v) Diabetic neuropathy

vi) Meningitis

vii) Idiopathic epilepsy

viii) Neurological complications linked to preterm birth

ix) Autism spectrum disorders

x) Cancers of the nervous systems.

• Just 32 per cent of the Member States (63 countries) have a national policy addressing neurological disorders, and only 18 per cent (34 countries) report having dedicated funding to address them.

• Without strong policy frameworks, health systems remain fragmented, under-resourced and ill-equipped to meet the needs of patients and families. 

• While public awareness-raising campaigns and advocacy efforts are making progress, there is still significant room to strengthen them — reducing stigma, accelerating reform, and ensuring millions receive the care, and recognition they deserve.

• Essential services are out of reach for most people. Only 25 per cent of Member States (49 countries) include neurological disorders in their universal health coverage benefit packages. 

• Critical services such as stroke units, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation, and palliative care are frequently lacking or concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and underserved populations without access to lifesaving and life-sustaining care.

• The report reveals a severe lack of qualified health professionals, with low-income countries facing up to 82 times fewer neurologists per 100,000 people compared to high-income nations. This shortage means that for many patients, timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care are simply out of reach.

Roadmap for action

• Without action, the burden of neurological disorders will continue to rise, deepening global health inequalities. 

WHO urges governments to:

i) Make neurological disorders a policy priority through bold leadership and sustained investment.

ii) Expand access to neurological care through universal health coverage and health system strengthening.

iii) Promote brain health across the life course with coordinated intersectoral action targeting key risk and protective factors.

iv) Strengthen data systems and monitoring for evidence-informed decision-making and accountability.