Brain disorders, neurological and mental alike, have the highest disease burden. Neurological disorders alone are the leading cause of DALYs and second leading cause of deaths worldwide, affecting one in three people. The leading cause of DALYs by 2030 is projected to be unipolar depressive disorders.

Thus, global momentum to address the threat posed by brain disorders is increasing. In 2018 mental and neurological disorders were added by world leaders to the list of priority non-communicable diseases. In 2019 WHO established a “Brain Health” team. In 2020 WHO Member States requested a resolution on Epilepsy and other neurological disorders that can lead to a global action plan. However, the existing high-level commitments, such as Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage, have not afforded brain conditions the political priority that they require and fall short on tangible global commitments to reduce their burden.

Strategic linkages to these high-level commitments therefore need to be built, laying out a strong foundation for an integrated and all-encompassing approach to brain health.

AGENDA

Moderated by Frédéric Destrebecq, Executive Director, EBC

INTRODUCTION: ACKNOWLEDGE UN ADDITION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS TO LIST OF PRIORITY NCDS Joke Jaarsma, President, EFNA & Treasurer, EBC

PRESENTATION ON GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE – FOCUS ON NEUROLOGY (BRAIN)
Prof. Valery L Feigin, National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

CALL FOR MORE HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC LINKAGES BETWEEN WORK ON NCDS, SDGS, UHC
Tarun Dua, Head, Brain Health Unit, Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, WHO

EPILEPSY AS A CASE STUDY: THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION AT THE GLOBAL LEVEL Dr Samuel Wiebe, President, International League Against Epilepsy; Director, Clinical Research Unit Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

DIGITAL SOLUTIONS: Free mobile digital technology to reduce the global burden of stroke
Prof. Valery L Feigin, National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

DISCUSSION WITH SPEAKERS AND Q&A

CLOSING STATEMENT, Frédéric Destrebecq

CALL TO ACTION TO UN MEMBER STATES TO IMPLEMENT THESE HIGH-LEVEL PRIORITIES ON THE GROUND.