WHO: Neurological disorders on rise

From The Punch in Nigeria:

The World Health Organisation has said that mental and neurological disorders account for 11 per cent of global disease burden and one per cent of the deaths.

The organisation in a new publication, Neurology and Public Health, released on Wednesday as part of activities marking the 2008 World Mental Day, warned that neuro-psychiatric disorders would rise to 14.7 per cent by 2020. Friday, October 10 is the 2008 World Mental Day.

The publication, jointly sponsored by the WHO and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, noted that mental, neurological and substance use disorders were “highly prevalent and burdensome globally.”

The WHO said it would be in Geneva on Oct. 9 to inaugurate the Mental Health Gap Action Programme “to scale up services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders for countries especially with low and lower middle incomes.”

The MHGAP, the organisation explained, would build partnerships for collective action and reinforce the commitment of governments, international organisations and other stakeholders. According to the global body, the burden of mental and neurological disorders has been seriously underestimated.

It noted that greater emphasis was placed on “traditional epidemiological methods that took into account only mortality, but not disability rates.”

It stated that the disorders occurred frequently and caused substantial disability.
The WHO said that they created a burden on individuals, families, communities and societies.

The organisation said, “This report specifically shows that while the mental and neurological disorders are responsible for about one per cent of deaths, they account for almost 11 per cent of disease burden the world over.”

It explained that the study had demonstrated that the magnitude and burden of neurological disorders were huge. According to the organisation, they are priority health problems globally.

The organisation also said, “The extension of life expectancy and the ageing of the general populations in both developed and developing countries are likely to increase the prevalence of many chronic and progressive physical and mental conditions, including neurological disorders.”