05/03/2024
Neurological Conditions Now the Leading Cause of Disability Worldwide, Affecting 3.4 Billion People
A comprehensive new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, published in The Lancet Neurology, reveals that neurological conditions have become the top contributor to the global disease burden, surpassing cardiovascular diseases.
Key findings include:
In 2021, neurological conditions affected 43% of the world's population (3.4 billion individuals).
These conditions were responsible for 443 million years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, and premature death (disability-adjusted life years or DALYs).
The top contributors to neurological health loss globally were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and diabetic neuropathy.
Neurodevelopmental and pediatric conditions accounted for almost a fifth of the total neurological burden worldwide.
Over 80% of neurological deaths and health loss occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Modifying risk factors, such as high blood pressure, could significantly reduce the burden of some neurological conditions.
The authors emphasize the urgent need to make neurological health a global public health priority, calling for targeted interventions, increased investment in research, and improved access to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care strategies.
For more information, read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(24)00038-3.
This update summarizes some of the key points from the article, highlighting the global impact of neurological conditions and the need for action. Infographic: https://www.healthdata.org/research-analysis/library/global-burden-conditions-affecting-nervous-system
Neurological conditions are the number-one leading cause of disease burden worldwide.
