The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the escalating global burden of neurological disorders, which are linked to at least 11 million deaths annually. Despite the widespread impact, fewer than one in three countries have a national policy to address these conditions, leaving millions without access to adequate care.

WHO’s first-of-its-kind global status report on neurology reveals that neurological conditions affect more than 40% of the world’s population, or over three billion people. The top 10 neurological conditions contributing to death and disability as of 2021 include stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, idiopathic epilepsy, complications related to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorders, and nervous system cancers.

The report highlights stark inequalities in access to neurological care. Low-income countries have up to 82 times fewer neurologists per 100,000 people than high-income nations, despite facing a disproportionately high disease burden. Critical services—such as stroke units, pediatric neurology, rehabilitation, and palliative care—are frequently unavailable or concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and underserved populations without lifesaving care. Only 25% of WHO member states include neurological disorders in their universal health coverage benefit packages.

Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant director-general, emphasized the urgency of coordinated global action. “Many neurological conditions can be prevented or effectively treated, yet services remain out of reach for most—especially in rural areas—where people face stigma, social exclusion, and financial hardship,” he said. “We must put patients and their families first and ensure brain health is properly prioritized and invested in.”

The report also underscores gaps in governance and financing: only 32% of member states have a national policy on neurological disorders, and just 18% report dedicated funding. Without strong policy frameworks, health systems remain fragmented, under-resourced, and ill-equipped to meet the growing needs of patients.

WHO urges governments to take immediate action: prioritize neurological disorders through bold leadership and sustained investment, expand access to neurological care via universal health coverage, promote brain health across the life course, and strengthen data systems for evidence-informed policy and accountability. Failure to act risks further deepening global health inequalities and leaving millions without essential care.

---