This is a very tangible sign of renewed impetus and focus on health at the EU level. However, in the text which accompanied the announcement (also seen at the link above), it once again speaks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. And it mentions areas where action is required such as ‘cancer, rare diseases and mental health’. This means that neurology has been  – yet again – omitted from the Commission’s health priorities.  

The European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA), together with the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) and neurology advocacy groups from across Europe,  call on the European Commission to acknowledge the full burden of neurological disorders and to take concrete steps to fully integrate neurological health into its main priority areas in the field of NCDs.

Read the open letter here.

The post Increased prioritisation of neurological health called for in open letter to EU Commission appeared first on European Brain Council (EBC).

We know from studies that at least 1 in 3 people will experience a brain disorder in their lifetime, with a total cost of brain ill-health in Europe alone estimated to be €800 billion each year – more than the cost of all major disease areas combined. The Global Burden of Disease Study Group found that neurological disorders formed the world’s largest cause of disability adjusted life years in 2015 and the second largest cause of global death, i.e. 16.8%. Brain disorders constitute the most prevalent disabling and burdensome diseases among NCDs in the European population. Evidence also shows that brain research has the highest potential in terms of return on investment, far exceeding the return in any other area. Therefore it is important that brain health receives far greater attention by the new European Commission and Parliament.

This letter has been sent to Dr Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President-elect, Ms. Stella Kyriakides, Health Commissioner-designate, Ms. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner-Designate for Innovation and Youth, Mr David Sassoli, European Parliament President and other policymakers.

The full letter can be read here.

The post EBC, EFNA & EAN send joint open letter to EU leaders, calling for increased prioritisation of neurological/brain health in EU policies appeared first on European Brain Council (EBC).