Global burden of nervous system disorders from 1990 to 2021

The Global Burden of Disease 2021 study provides a comprehensive assessment of the impact of 37 neurological conditions across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021. Using population-based data, researchers quantified mortality, prevalence, and health loss through disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs), with results stratified by sex, age, and geographic region.

In 2021, neurological disorders accounted for 443 million DALYs, affected approximately 3.40 billion people, and caused an estimated 11.1 million deaths globally. The top contributors to DALYs were:

• Stroke
• Neonatal encephalopathy
• Migraine
• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Meningitis
• Epilepsy
• Neurological complications of preterm birth
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Nervous system cancers

While the total number of DALYs increased by 18.2% since 1990, age-standardized DALY rates fell by 27.0% over the same period, reflecting population growth and aging. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bore a disproportionate share of the burden, representing approximately 85% of DALYs and 82% of deaths.

The findings highlight significant geographical disparities and strong links to modifiable risk factors, underscoring the urgency for targeted prevention strategies, equitable health system strengthening, and policies to reduce the global neurological disease burden.

Editorial Note: This content was developed with the support of artificial intelligence technologies to optimize writing and information structure. All material was carefully reviewed, validated, and supplemented by human experts prior to publication, ensuring scientific accuracy and adherence to editorial best practices.

#Neurology #GlobalHealth #Stroke #Migraine #Dementia