European Neurological Health Strategy
Ireland Urged to Champion A European Neurological Health Strategy During its EU Presidency
See the headline here from the European Academy of Neurology regarding the Irish presidency of the European Union and the coalition of Irish and European organisations calling on Ireland to use its Presidency of the Council of the EU to champion the development of a European Neurological Health Strategy.
The appeal comes as leading Irish and European experts gather in Dublin for a World Brain Day event organised by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre and partners as part of Ireland’s programme of Associated Presidency Events. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD will deliver the keynote address.
Neurological conditions are a growing public health challenge across Europe. They are among the leading causes of disability and premature death in the EU, according to a major Europe-wide study published in The Lancet Public Health, and their impact is expected to increase as Europe’s population continues to age.
Around 860,000 people in Ireland are living with a neurological condition, part of a growing burden across Europe estimated to cost more than €300 billion a year.
Chief Executive of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, Magdalen Rogers, said Ireland had a unique opportunity to drive European action on neurological health:
“Ireland’s Presidency comes at a pivotal moment, as neurological health is receiving unprecedented attention at EU level. Patient groups have been at the forefront of advocating for a coordinated, strategic response to the growing impact of neurological conditions across Member States. As Ireland’s national umbrella organisation for neurological patient groups, we are leading out on the call for the Irish Presidency to champion a European Neurological Health Strategy. Such a strategy would strengthen healthcare systems, accelerate research and innovation, and ultimately improve the lives of millions of people living with neurological conditions across Europe.”
