More than half of the United States population is affected by a neurological disease or disorder, according to a new systematic analysis published in JAMA Neurology.
Disorders of the nervous system impacted more than 180 million of the nearly 333 million Americans in 2021 and were the top cause of health loss in the country.
Researchers analysed data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study to evaluate disability and mortality rates for 36 medical conditions.
The most prevalent conditions identified were tension-type headaches, affecting 122 million people, followed by migraines at 58 million and diabetic neuropathy at 17 million.
“This new analysis showing one in two people in the U.S. is affected by a neurological disease or disorder is an urgent call to action,” said American Academy of Neurology President Natalia S. Rost. “It emphasises the importance of accelerating research and discovery to achieve scientific breakthroughs in preventing and treating neurological diseases and disorders.”
Disability increases
While the prevalence rate has remained relatively stable, deaths from neurological conditions declined by 15 per cent between 1990 and 2021. However, the number of years lived with disability increased by 10 per cent over the same period.
The study authors note that much of the rise in burden is linked to an older US population that is more vulnerable to conditions affecting the nervous system.
Leading causes of health loss included stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy and migraine.
“Disorders of the nervous system are highly prevalent and cause disability for millions of Americans,” said author John P. Ney, of Yale University. “Healthy brain, spinal cord and nerve function allows for greater participation in employment, relationships and improved quality of life.”
The analysis was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
