Shaping the future of brain health: What it means for economic growth
Neurological disorders account for more than a third of health problems around the world, from anxiety and depression to Alzheimer’s and ALS.
Yet they remain downplayed in national health strategies. Somewhere in the world a patient is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) every five minutes. The conditions impose healthcare costs and clinical care needs, as well as indirect costs such as lost productivity. Economist Impact’s recent research into MS, Measuring what matters, supported by Sanofi, found that the average lifetime productivity loss for an individual developing MS at age 30 ranges from more than €300,000 in France to €600,000 in America.
In order to address the economic and human impact of neurological diseases, an integrated approach is needed. This requires embedding brain health within national health agendas and employment strategies, improving how burden is measured and strengthening cross-sector collaboration. It also emphasises the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and equitable access to care. Stronger data systems will also inform decision-making.
Why attend?
Join Economist Impact at the World Health Organisations’s World Health Assembly for “Shaping the future of brain health: what it means for economic growth”, a panel discussion supported by Sanofi. This session will bring together global experts to discuss brain health in policy agendas through collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches. Highlighting findings from Economist Impact’s report, experts will use MS as a case study to examine system-level barriers and opportunities to integrate the economic impact of brain health in health care.
Discussion points include:
- What should be done so brain health is embedded in national health strategies?
- What are the gaps in understanding and measuring the psychological, social and economic impacts of neurological conditions?
- How can patients’ lived experience inform policy decisions?
- What lessons can be drawn from the implementation of plans developed for other health conditions such as dementia? What effective approaches should be adopted?