The Main Cause of Disability and Death

A study has shown that over 40% of people worldwide live with some form of brain conditions causing disability and death. In 2021, 3.4 billion people globally suffered from neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and migraines, which is a significantly higher number than previously thought, making these conditions the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. Scientists stated, "The aging of the global population and increased exposure to environmental, health, and lifestyle risk factors are likely to be the reasons behind these conditions." Data now indicates that "the total number of cases considered the main cause of disability, illness, and early death has increased by 18% globally over the past three decades, from 1990 to 2021." Neurological conditions also include meningitis, brain injuries, and nerve damage caused by diabetes. It has been shown that diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes damages the nerves, is the fastest-growing among all neurological conditions. Dr. Lian Ong from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, a co-author of the study, stated, "The number of people suffering from diabetic neuropathy has more than tripled worldwide since 1990, rising to 206 million in 2021. This aligns with the increase in the global prevalence of diabetes." The study, published in The Lancet Neurology, examined how dementia rates and 36 other neurological conditions have changed over time globally. Researchers looked at case, death, and disability data in 204 countries over 31 years. They used a measure known as DALYs to assess years of healthy life lost due to disability or early death. They found that over the past 31 years, the total amount of healthy life lost due to neurological conditions rose from about 375 million years in 1990 to 443 million years in 2021.