Neurological conditions

Estimating the global burden of neurological conditions aids policymaking and helps to lift brain health onto the public health agenda.

Photo by Jesse Orrico, Unsplash

40% of the global population is affected by nervous system health loss.

3.4 billion people were estimated to have had a condition affecting the nervous system in 2021.

11.1 million deaths were estimated to be caused by neurological conditions in 2021.

153 million individuals will experience dementia by 2050, according to recent estimates.

Input sources and estimates

Find all data sources and estimates related to neurological conditions in our data catalogue, the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx).

Publications

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Featured publication

Dementia Risk Factors Project Final Report

The Dementia Risk Reduction Project brings together AARP’s commitment to healthy aging, IHME’s global health analytics, and AD Data Initiative’s data innovation to identify and address the most impactful dementia risk factors.

Scientific Publication

Estimating the costs of informal care for individuals with brain health disorders from 2000 to 2021: a modelling study

Globally, informal caregivers for brain health disorders provided 9·4 billion hours of care in 2021, at a cost of US$1·7 trillion in forgone earnings. Hours of informal care provided for brain health disorders have risen by an average of 3·2% per year since 2000. Stroke contributed to the most hours of informal care, and dementia to the most lost earnings.

Scientific Publication

US Burden of Disorders Affecting the Nervous System From the Global Burden of Disease 2021 Study

Disorders affecting the nervous system are highly prevalent and cause disability for millions of US individuals, with reduced mortality leading to more YLDs.

Scientific Publication