‘Brain Health for Neurology: Opportunities and Risks’
MEETING REPORT FROM THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Monday, December 5th 2022, 14.00-15.30hrs CET.
BACKGROUND TO THE EVENT
Neurology is, now more than ever before, in a strong political position following the adoption in May of this year of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 10-year Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders and with the NCD (Non-Communicable Diseases) Healthier Together Initiative strand on mental health and neurological disorders.
It is time to prioritise neurology and speak with one voice on issues such as stigma, isolation and discrimination together with those facing the same issues in the mental health community. This can be achieved within the brain health context. The brain health momentum across Europe and indeed the globe provides an opportunity to address many public health issues and to encourage research for both neurology and mental health. We are stronger together.
However, in recent months there has been confusion among patient groups, researchers, industry and even policymakers about what the drive towards brain health means to them. Will neurology as a whole be included in discussions around brain health? Will some neurology sectors be excluded under this context? Does brain health only include neurology when linked to mental health? Are brain health, mental health and neurology three separate entities? The current state of play for many, in one word, is ‘confusion’.
For this reason, EFNA brought together members, partners and other key stakeholders for a roundtable discussion on the topic. The event featured presentations from the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), Prof. Mayowa Owolabi (OneNeurology), Tadeusz Hawrot (EFNA’s Senior Policy Advisor) and a statement from MEP Katerina Konecná, as well as open discussion.
Click here to read the meeting report.
Presentations from the event can be downloaded here.
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