The global fund for epilepsy: A proposal

Abstract

There are an estimated 50 million people living with epilepsy (PLWE) worldwide.1 In the United States and other high-income countries, PLWE are offered a wide range of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services. In stark contrast, the vast majority of PLWE in poorer regions of the world receive no care and treatment. Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder seen in primary care in developing regions of the world and accounts for 0.7% of the total burden of disease measured in disability-adjusted life years lost.2,3 The prevalence of epilepsy is highest in low- and lower middle-income countries according to the World Health Organization.1 Symptomatic epilepsy may be more common due to greater incidence rates of obstetrical complications, perinatal conditions, neurocysticercosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and traumatic brain injuries. In sub-Saharan Africa, many countries have a treatment gap approaching 100%, indicating an absence of health investments, both domestic and external (nongovernmental and official development assistance), to support epilepsy diagnosis, care, and treatment.4,5