WHO warns neurological disorders kill over 11 million annually

‎The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded an alarm that neurological disorders cause more than 11 million deaths worldwide each year, urging immediate and coordinated efforts by governments to tackle this escalating public health crisis.
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‎The warning outlines that neurological conditions now affect over 3 billion people, accounting for more than 40% of the global population. Common conditions include stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, and epilepsy.
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‎WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Jeremy Farrar stressed the urgency, noting that while many neurological conditions are preventable or treatable, access to care remains limited, especially in rural and underserved regions where stigma and financial challenges worsen patient outcomes.
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‎The report reveals that only about one-third of countries have national policies addressing neurological diseases, and just 18% of WHO Member States allocate dedicated funding for neurological care. Low-income nations are particularly disadvantaged, having more than 80 times fewer neurologists than high-income countries despite bearing a disproportionate disease burden.
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‎The WHO cautioned that weak health systems, poor awareness, and underfunded research continue to hamper progress. It called for strong leadership and investment to make neurological disorders a top policy priority, expand universal health coverage for brain health, and promote neurological wellness across life stages.
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‎In Nigeria, the issue is compounded by a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases fueling neurological conditions. Consultant neurologist Dr Temitope Farombi of University College Hospital, Ibadan, warned that by 2030, brain disorders in Nigeria could triple due to hypertension, diabetes, and other factors.
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‎He said currently, one in four Nigerians has hypertension, and one in six has diabetes, both key drivers of epilepsy, stroke, depression, insomnia, and other neurological diseases.
‎Dr Farombi emphasized plans to support recovery and societal reintegration for those affected.
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‎Governments worldwide, including Nigeria, are urged to prioritize brain health policy, increase funding and research, and improve healthcare access to reduce the growing toll of neurological diseases