By Ayomide Otitoju
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over the global surge in neurological disorders, revealing that fewer than one in three countries have national policies to address the growing health crisis, which accounts for more than 11 million deaths annually.
In its new Global Status Report on Neurology released today, WHO disclosed that neurological conditions now impact over 40% of the world’s population—approximately 3 billion people—making them one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide.
According to the report, the top ten neurological conditions contributing to mortality and disability in 2021 include stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications linked to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorders, and cancers of the nervous system.
Despite this immense burden, WHO noted that low-income countries have up to 80 times fewer neurologists than high-income nations, with most lacking national plans, budgets, or trained workforce to manage neurological care.
“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 care they need,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control. “Many of these conditions can be prevented or effectively treated, yet services remain out of reach for most—especially in rural and underserved areas—where stigma and financial hardship persist.”
The report also revealed that only 32% of WHO Member States have policies targeting neurological disorders, and just 18% have dedicated funding. Meanwhile, only 25% include such disorders in universal health coverage plans. Essential services like stroke units, pediatric neurology, and rehabilitation are mostly concentrated in cities, leaving rural communities without access to life-saving care.
WHO emphasized that the shortage of skilled health professionals, weak data systems, and chronic underfunding of research—particularly in developing countries—are hindering progress. It called for urgent global action to strengthen brain health systems, expand access to neurological care, and ensure patients and caregivers receive adequate support and protection.
