By Ivyn Kipruto
The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over the growing global burden of neurological disorders, revealing that they now account for more than 11 million deaths annually and affect over three billion people, nearly 40 percent of the world’s population.
According to WHO’s new Global Status Report on Neurology, less than one in three countries has a national policy to address neurological diseases.
Additionally, low-income nations face up to 80 times fewer neurologists than high-income countries.
WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control, Dr. Jeremy Farrar said that with more than one in three people worldwide living with conditions affecting their brain, we must do all we can to improve the care they need.
He added that, “Many of these conditions can be prevented or treated, yet services remain out of reach for most, especially in rural and underserved areas.”
According to WHO the top neurological conditions contributing to death and disability include stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, migraines, epilepsy, meningitis, diabetic neuropathy, and cancers of the nervous system.
The report paints a stark picture of global inequality in neurological care. Only 32 percent of WHO Member States, or 63 out of 194 countries, have a national policy addressing neurological disorders, and just 18 percent have dedicated funding to support them.
Essential services such as stroke units, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation, and palliative care remain limited, often concentrated in major urban centers. This leaves millions of people, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, without access to life-saving and life-sustaining care.
The situation is further worsened by the lack of support for informal caregivers, most of whom are women. Only 46 countries offer carer services, and 44 have laws that protect carers, leaving many families to shoulder the financial and emotional strain alone. WHO warns that this gap reinforces social inequities and deprives patients of consistent, quality care.
Without urgent intervention, the organization cautions, the burden of neurological diseases will continue to rise, straining health systems and deepening global health inequalities.
The report calls on governments to make neurological disorders a national health priority, expand access to care under universal health coverage, and promote brain health through preventive action across all stages of life.
WHO also emphasizes the need for stronger data systems and investment in research to guide evidence-based decision-making.
In 2022, WHO Member States adopted the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders, a roadmap designed to help countries strengthen policies, improve access to treatment, and involve people with lived experience in shaping inclusive health systems.
The agency says the plan offers a vital framework for tackling the crisis if governments commit to sustained leadership and investment.
“The time to act is now,” WHO stated, warning that neurological disorders are not just a medical challenge but a major global development issue. The organization urged countries to prioritize brain health and ensure that every person, regardless of income or location, can access the care they need to live a dignified and healthy life.
