WHO outlines a global roadmap to brain health

Neurological conditions now affect more than 40 per cent of the population – over three billion people, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Status Report on Neurology, released at the World Congress of Neurology (WCN) in Seoul.

The report reveals that neurological conditions affect one in three people, and are responsible for over 11 million deaths globally each year, with over 80 per cent of the burden in low- and middle-income countries.

Despite its prevalence, too few countries have a standalone or integrated policy on neurology, only a minority include neurological services in universal health coverage benefit packages, and workforce shortages remain profound – necessitating task-sharing and primary-care strengthening to close treatment gaps.

Just 32 per cent of WHO Member States (63 countries) have a national policy addressing neurological disorders, and only 18 per cent (34 countries) report having dedicated funding to address them, the WHO found.

The report reveals a severe lack of qualified neurology health professionals, with low-income countries facing up to 82 times fewer neurologists per 100 000 people compared to high-income nations. This shortage means that for many patients, timely diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care are simply out of reach.

Neurological conditions often require lifelong care. Yet only 46 Member States offer carer services and just 44 Member States have legal protections in place for carers. As a result, informal carers – most often women – are left without recognition or support, reinforcing social inequities and placing a significant financial strain on families.

Addressing delegates live at the WCN, Dr Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit of the WHO, called for an accelerated, whole-of-society push to make brain health a policy priority in every country. “This is not a siloed agenda; it’s an integrated public-health imperative,” she said. Framing brain health as an essential pillar of public health, Dr Dua urged neurologists, policymakers, and partners to align on integrated strategies that move care from fragmented to coordinated, from urban specialty settings to strong, community-based primary care.

“The science is clear and the path is practical,” said Dr Dua. “If countries embed brain health in universal coverage, strengthen primary care, ensure access to essential medicines, reduce stigma, and invest in data systems, we can measurably improve lives – especially in settings where the need is greatest.”

“The significance of the WHO announcement coming from the World Congress of Neurology underscores the importance of neurologists playing an active role in brain health advocacy worldwide,” said Prof Wolfgang Grisold, WFN President. “With the rising prevalence of neurological conditions, we are committed to working with WHO on real solutions, including supporting neurologists in advocacy work, in addition to training programmes to help combat the severe lack of qualified health professionals, particularly in low-income countries.”