A study published in the Lancet has found that neurological conditions, including stroke, migraine, Parkinson's disease and dementia, are now the leading cause of ill-health worldwide, responsible for 11.1 million deaths in 2021.
The research, part of the Global Burden of Disease study, revealed that 3.4 billion people – 43% of the global population – were affected by disorders of the nervous system in 2021. The total years of healthy life lost due to 37 neurological conditions rose by 18% between 1990 and 2021, from 375 million to 443 million.
In the UK, Brain Research UK estimates that one in six people have a neurological condition, with 2.6 million living with the effects of traumatic brain injury or stroke. The number of people with dementia in the UK exceeds 944,000, expected to surpass one million by 2030.
Globally, stroke imposed the greatest disease burden, followed by meningitis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and other dementias. The most prevalent disorders were tension headaches (about 2 billion cases) and migraine (about 1.1 billion cases). Nerve damage from diabetes was the fastest-growing condition, reflecting the rise in type 2 diabetes.
The study highlighted health inequalities, with 80% of neurological deaths and health loss occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Preventive measures, particularly reducing high systolic blood pressure, could prevent 84% of stroke-related illness and premature death, the research found.
Dr Jaimie Steinmetz, lead author from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, called for 'effective, culturally acceptable and affordable' strategies to address the growing burden. UK charities such as Alzheimer's Research UK and the Stroke Association urged urgent action, noting the strain on the NHS and the rising economic costs of stroke, which could reach £75 billion by 2035.
