UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The United Nations said up to one billion people, or about one in six people worldwide, suffer from neurological disorders.
The diseases range from Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, strokes, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy to migraine, brain injuries and neuron-infections, with some 6.8 million dying of the illnesses, a U.N. report said Tuesday.
The U.N. World Health Organization study on disorders outlines how people everywhere, irrespective of age, sex, education or income are affected, the economic cost of such diseases in Europe reached some $183.14 billion in 2004, and access to appropriate care is lacking in many parts of the world.
"Despite the fact that highly effective, low-cost treatments are available, as many as nine out of 10 people suffering from epilepsy in Africa go untreated," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said.
"Health systems need to be strengthened to deliver better care for people with neurological disorders," she added, recommending neurological care be integrated into primary health care since for many people, primary care is the only access to medical treatment they have and doctors can use low-technology interventions. Community-based rehabilitation is also an option.
Reasons for non-availability of care include inadequate health delivery systems, lack of trained personnel, absence of essential drugs and prevalence of traditional beliefs and practices.
"In order to reduce the impact of neurological disorders, innovative approaches involving strong partnerships must be put in place," said Johan Aarli, president of the World Federation of Neurology and member of the group that wrote the report.
