Publication details

Brain health and national neurological societies: Results of the European Academy of Neurology survey on brain health awareness and areas of implementation for European countries

Authors	LEONARDI Matilde COLONNA Isabella GARCIA-AZORIN David BERECZKI Daniel BODINI Benedetta BREGMAN Noa KALVIAINEN Reetta K KONDYBAYEVA Aida PAPP Viktoria VODUSEK David B TIM von Oertzen DANOVA Robertina CREAN Michael WURM Raphael BASSETTI Claudio BERGER Thomas BOON Paul KALLWEIT Ulf MARSON Anthony MORO Elena REKTOROVÁ Irena TOSCANO Antonio LEOCANI Letizia
Year of publication	2024
Type	Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source	European Journal of Neurology
MU Faculty or unit	Faculty of Medicine
Citation
Web	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ene.16516
Doi	http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ene.16516
Keywords	brain health; health policies; neurological societies; patients' organization; prevention and care
Description	Background and purpose: The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) has adhered to the global plan for reducing the burden of neurological disorders and promoting brain health launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. This study reports the results of an EAN survey among national neurological societies (NNSs) on their awareness of brain health policies. Methods: The EAN survey on the current state of national brain health policies was conducted among the 47 presidents of the NNSs affiliated with the EAN, with the aim of developing the best strategy for close collaboration among stakeholders. Results: From June 2023 to February 2024, 36/47 responses (77%) were collected. Among respondents, 67% were in contact with their Ministry of Health and 78% were aware of and in contact with one or more national neurological patient organisation, while 17% had no contacts with any association. Ninety-two percent declared a high to medium degree of awareness of the need to support brain health and of brain health plans and strategies in their country. Conclusions: Our findings suggest good awareness of the importance of brain health and of the strategies implemented at the national level among the EAN-affiliated NNSs and representatives. Efforts towards improvement may be directed towards cooperation between NNSs and political institutions, as well as patient organisations, to optimise brain and global public health and neurological care in each country.