Better brains for a better world
View(s):July 22 is International Brain Day
By Professor Tissa Wijeratne
What is so special about World Brain Day?
I was part of the global four-member team when we sat together in a high profile World Federation of Neurology meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2011. We discussed the long overdue idea of a World Brain Day. We have to start talking about this amazing organ in the human body, and need to take good care of our brain. We must also be aware of the myriad of health problems affecting the brain. World Brain Day is an ideal platform for this.
We want to see a better world filled with healthier brains. Our main aim was to create awareness of better brain health all around the world. A group was led by the President of World Federation Neurology at that time, Professor Vladimir Hachinski from Canada. Two neurologists from other parts of the world, along with myself, were strongly for the idea of the World Brain Day. Therefore, we decided to select July 22 as our date, which is also the birthday of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN). It still took a further three years to launch the first ever World Brain Day on July 22, 2014.
Key messages from the first World Brain Day
The theme of the day was “Our Brain-Our Future”.
We focused on brain health and the prevention of brain disorders, which are largely underestimated global health problems.
Your brain is the most amazing and complex organ in your body. It consists of millions and millions of electric wires, called axons (neurons). It is estimated that the human brain consists of 80 billion neurons- the distance of these neurons is the equivalent distance of travelling around the earth four times in a row. These neurons make ten trillion connections between them. It is thanks to these neurons I am using my fingers to type these words! Our neurons allow us to sing, dance, think, feel, ask questions and solve problems on a daily basis!
Our brains are at a crossroad now. According to Framingham’s study one in three of us is at risk of developing dementia or stroke during our life. For the most part, these are preventable diseases! It is time to act.
Diseases affecting the human brain such as stroke, epilepsy, depression, brain tumors, concussion and trauma, Alzheimer’s disease, Infections, genetic disorders, sleep disorders and headaches are the single most important cause of disability in the world. Let’s all get together to promote better brain health across the globe with unified voice and action.
Exercise, fruit and vegetable intake, salt reduction, blood pressure control, avoiding air pollution, avoiding smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol intake, avoiding recreational drugs, managing stress well, good sleep hygiene and ongoing learning and problem solving all promote better brain health.
We prepared brochures, PowerPoint slides and banners, which we distributed across the world in 2014.
The first ever World Brain Day activities were a great success.
World Brain Day 2015: Epilepsy
In 2015, WFN and its partners the International League Against Epilepsy (ILEA) and International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE), together with the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to focus on Epilepsy for the World Brain Day.
Why Epilepsy?
There were several reasons for the chosen theme in 2015.
Epilepsy is the most common of the serious chronic brain diseases affecting human brain. Despite this, most laypeople don’t really know that much about it. There is a significant psychological and social impact for most patients with epilepsy. Therefore there is a strong need to educate many doctors on epilepsy, our current understanding of it and successful treatments. There are many countries in the world with poor access to medications that can control epilepsy.
Epilepsy: Treatable, manageable & controllable
Epilepsy is the most common chronic serious disease of the brain affecting 50 million people worldwide. However, appropriate treatment can make 70% of people with epilepsy seizure free. Unfortunately, 80% of people with epilepsy in low and middle income countries do not have access to the necessary medications. Many health care providers also do not have the training to recognize, diagnose or treat epilepsy. Lack of identification and treatment of epilepsy imposes a huge social and financial burden on the patient, their family and community. Ignorance and fear causes social isolation and prevents people with epilepsy from seeking treatment. Research and legislation is needed to improve access to treatments and the quality of life of people with epilepsy.
Thankfully WFN, ILAE, IBE and WHO are working in partnership to address the global burden of epilepsy.
A separate brochure on seizure first aid was given out during the 2015 World Brain Day. During our campaign we also highlighted that neurological infections, head injuries, genetic basis, stroke, brain tumors, defects in brain development and brain damage from prenatal or perinatal causes are all causes of epilepsy. Epilepsy is not infectious. It is not a contagious disease.
It is important to remember that there are more than 50 million people living with epilepsy globally at present. They are 3-6 times more likely to die prematurely. 70% of these people can be treated with inexpensive and effective medications that works well against epilepsy, allowing them to lead normal lives.
World Brain Day 2016: Brain health and the ageing population
Let us talk about the theme for this year now. It is time to become aware of the issue of ageing on the brain. As we get older, additional neurological disorders and conditions further threaten the health of our brains.
Did you know?
In 2015, there were more adult diapers sold than baby diapers. Japan became the first country in the world to start doing this. There are many countries in the race now. It is expected in 2025, eighty percent of the world’s older population will be living in the developing world. Globally there are more than 800 million people in the world right now who are older than 60 years (12 % of the world’s population). In 2050, 21% of the world population will be older than 60 years: roughly 2 billion people!
Illnesses connected to age
When we get older, major social, economic and health consequences occur. The likelihood of acquiring brain diseases like stroke and Parkinson’s disease increases with age. Poverty, disability and care needs are all high among older people.
It is estimated that almost half of all health expenditure in the developed world is related to the care of elderly people. This is believed to rise to 70% in 2030.
As a society it is our responsibility to care for ageing people and promote healthy ageing.
Prevention and caring, rather than simply curing, are the key factors here. Our prime aim is to maintain a high quality of care. The WFN will collaborate with WHO, World Brain Council, European Brain Council, Alzheimer’s Association, the International Federation on Ageing and several other global organizations to promote awareness for the upcoming World Brain Day on July 22, 2016.
Let’s learn more about healthy living and healthy ageing, so we can promote better brain health in the ageing population. We must provide better brains for a better world.
(The writer is a senior neurologist and member, Global Policy and Advocacy Committee, World Federation of Neurology)