By Deborah Nnamdi
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the growing global toll of neurological disorders, revealing that the conditions claim more than 11 million lives each year and affect over three billion people worldwide.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the UN health agency called for urgent scaling up of care and investment in neurological health, stressing that many of the conditions can be prevented or effectively treated with the right medical services.
According to the WHO, neurological conditions affect more than 40 percent of the global population, with stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, meningitis, and idiopathic epilepsy ranking among the top 10 contributors to death and disability.
However, the organization warned that structural, financial, and social barriers continue to hinder progress, while stigma and misconceptions discourage many from seeking treatment.
“WHO is calling for urgent, evidence-based and coordinated global action to prioritise brain health and expand neurological care,” the agency said.
WHO Assistant Director-General, Jeremy Farrar, underscored the urgency of the situation, saying:
“With more than one in three people in the world living with conditions affecting their brain, we must do all we can to improve the health care they need. Many of these neurological conditions can be prevented or effectively treated, yet services remain out of reach for most — especially in rural and underserved areas, where people too often face stigma, social exclusion, and financial hardship.”
The report highlighted glaring inequalities in access to neurological care. Low-income countries have more than 80 times fewer neurologists than wealthier nations, leaving millions without timely diagnosis or treatment.
It also found that only 63 countries have a national policy on neurological disorders, and just 34 provide dedicated funding. In addition, only 46 countries offer carer services, and 44 have legal protections for carers, leaving many informal caregivers without recognition or support.
WHO further warned that chronic underfunding of research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is hampering the development of effective health policies.
“Without action, the burden of neurological disorders will continue to rise,” the agency cautioned, urging governments to prioritise brain health through sustained investment, expand access to care, and strengthen data monitoring to improve policy decisions.
