UCB Joins with ILAE and IBE to Encourage World Health Assembly Members to Continue Recognition of Epilepsy as Global Health Priority

BRUSSELS and GENEVA, May 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

• Significant gaps in epilepsy management, awareness, and effective treatment access continue around the world
• Groups are launching a call to action for public and private engagement to join the fight against Epilepsy through a sustained commitment towards the Resolution on Epilepsy
• Call to action builds on 2015 WHO Resolution on Epilepsy, which aims to improve knowledge, services, and treatment of epilepsy worldwide

Representatives from the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), alongside prominent members of the Global epilepsy community, are meeting this week to encourage World Health Assembly (WHA) members and the World Health Organization (WHO) to continue to recognize epilepsy as a global health priority in countries around the world.

Coinciding with the 71st World Health Assembly, advocates will focus on progressing the milestone 2015 WHO Resolution on epilepsy to encourage countries to prioritise epilepsy at national levels, including promoting awareness, eliminating stigma of the disease, expanding research capacity, improving monitoring and surveillance, and expanding access to care.

One of the particular areas of focus will be how to better develop and shape public health policy to better support people living with epilepsy achieve a better quality of life.

Epilepsy is the most common serious disease of the brain,^[1] affecting 65 million people around the world.^[2] In developing countries, 60% to 90% of people with epilepsy receive no treatment due to inadequacies in healthcare resources and delivery and due to social stigma.^[1]

"This World Health Assembly can be a turning point for the epilepsy community. Our organizations are fully committed to seeking international support to the 2015 Resolution on epilepsy"  said Martin Brodie and Samuel Wiebe, respectively IBE President and ILAE President, in a joint statement. "We hope that this renewed momentum will inspire the creation of a broad-ranging coalition carrying on further innovative programs and activities consistent with the objectives of the Resolution" they added.