Perspective - Journal of Public Health and Nutrition (2021) Volume 4, Issue 12

Role of the public health professional in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders.

Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom

Corresponding Author:

Anthony Wiskin
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol
BS2 8BJ, United Kingdom
E-mail: wiskin@nhs.net

Accepted date: December18^th, 2021

Citation:Wiskin A. Role of the public health professional in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders. J Pub Health Nutri. 2021; 4(12):390-391.

Abstract

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the Harvard School of Public Health collaborated on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project, which brought the burden of neurological illnesses and many other chronic conditions to the attention of the international health community. Traditional epidemiological and health statistical methodologies, which only consider mortality rates but not disability rates, were found to significantly underestimate the burden of neurological illnesses in this study. The GBD analysis revealed that the global health burden of neurological illnesses has been underappreciated for many years. As the vast burden of neurological illnesses became more widely recognised, it became clear that neurological services and resources were disproportionately inadequate, particularly in low-income and developing nations [1].

Furthermore, a growing body of evidence suggests that policymakers and health-care providers may be unprepared to deal with the expected rise in the prevalence of neurological and other chronic disorders, as well as the associated disability, as a result of increased life expectancy and population ageing around the world. WHO launched a number of global public health projects in response to the challenge posed by neurological disorders, including the Global Initiative on Neurology and Public Health, whose goal is to raise professional and public awareness of the frequency, severity, and costs of neurological disorders, as well as to emphasise the importance of providing neurological care at all levels, including primary health care. This global project has revealed a scarcity of data on the prevalence of neurological illnesses as well as a lack of research.

Neurological disorders: Public health challenges

In response to these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) recently partnered on an international Survey of Country Resources for Neurological Disorders, which included 109 nations and covered over 90% of the global population. The survey gathered data from specialists on a variety of elements of neurological care provision around the world, ranging from the frequency of neurological disorders to the availability of neurological services in different nations and situations. The findings show that in most parts of the world, resources are clearly insufficient for patients with neurological disorders; they also highlight disparities in access to neurological care among different populations, particularly among those living in low-income countries and developing regions of the world [2].

The survey's findings have been published in the WHO/WFN Atlas of Country Resources for Neurological Disorders, which includes various tables, graphs, and commentary. This report takes the Atlas Project's engagement with nonprofit organisations to the next level. Its goal is to educate governments, public health institutions, nonprofit groups, and others so that they can better create public health policies and advocate for neurological illnesses [3].

Alzheimer's Disease International, European Parkinson's Disease Association, International Association for the Study of Pain, International Bureau for Epilepsy, International Headache Society, International League Against Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, World Federation of Neurology, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, World Federation of Neurology, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, World Federation of Neurology Societies, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, It covers the most significant public health aspects of dementia, epilepsy, headache disorders, multiple sclerosis, and neuroinfections, as well as neurological illnesses linked to malnutrition, pain associated with neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. These frequent ailments were chosen after consultation with a number of professionals and nongovernmental organisations, and they account for a significant portion of the global burden of neurological disorders [4].

Epidemiology and burden, health promotion, disease prevention, health policy, service provision and delivery of care, disability and rehabilitation, stigma, and education and training are all covered in this overview of basic public health concepts and general principles as they apply to neurological disorders. The science and practise of protecting and promoting the health of the population via the prevention, promotion, health education, and management of communicable and no communicable diseases, including neurological disorders, is referred to as public health. In other words, public health is considered as a complete strategy focused on the overall health of the community, as opposed to medical health care, which is primarily concerned with the treatment of people. Primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention could be the focus of public health measures [5].

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