19 mar. 2025
A comprehensive study reveals that the impact of neurological conditions is significantly larger than previously realized, affecting 43% of the global population, or 3.4 billion people, in 2021.
• Key contributors to neurological health loss include:
◦ Stroke
◦ Neonatal Encephalopathy
◦ Migraine
◦ Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
◦ Diabetic Neuropathy
• Over the past three decades, the number of individuals living with or succumbing to neurological conditions like stroke, Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, and meningitis has increased sharply, driven by the aging global population and heightened exposure to various environmental, metabolic, and lifestyle risks.
• The disability-adjusted life years (DALY) – a measure of overall disability, illness, and premature death – linked to neurological conditions has risen by 18% over the last 30 years. However, when adjusting for population age, the rates of DALYs have actually decreased for conditions such as tetanus, meningitis, and stroke. This reduction can be attributed to:
◦ Enhanced awareness of neurological disorders
◦ The significance of vaccination
◦ Global prevention initiatives
• More than 80% of deaths and health losses due to neurological conditions occur in low- and middle-income countries. In high-income regions, the rates of DALYs and deaths are below 3000 and 65 per 100,000, while low-income regions report over 7000 DALYs and 198 deaths per 100,000.
• Prioritizing prevention is crucial:
◦ For instance, addressing 18 risk factors throughout a person’s life, such as controlling high systolic blood pressure, could significantly reduce global DALYs from stroke.
◦ Prevention strategies should adapt to address infections, vector-borne diseases, and non-communicable diseases.
The authors emphasize that the significant public health repercussions of these largely preventable health losses highlight the necessity for prioritizing neurological health on a global scale. What are your thoughts?