Tackling the growing burden of brain disorders in Europe Frederic Destrebecq, Executive Director of the European Brain Council explains the importance of tackling the growing burden of braindisorders in Europe Over the last decades, neurological and mental conditions have steadily progressed to become the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years and the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Europe alone, an estimated 179 million Europeans live with brain disorders and 1 in 3 are set to live with one within their lifespan. Every year, treating brain conditions accounts for 35% of Europe’s total disease burden with a yearly cost of €798 billion, of which 60% are related to direct costs (both medical and non-medical) , which, in spite of the magnitude of these numbers, are still considered to be underestimated and outdated. New epidemiological and economic studies are currently underway to analyse the extent of this burden on European and global society. T...
