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Global Health and Epilepsy: Update and Future Directions

  • Epilepsy (C. W. Bazil, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Efforts to improve epilepsy care outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are occurring through global health work. Despite an increase in these efforts, several barriers exist and a significant epilepsy treatment gap remains. This paper will review barriers to epilepsy care in LMICs and summarize recent published and unpublished data about global health projects which aimed to improve epilepsy care in these regions, focusing on work in the past 5 years.

Recent Findings

There are multiple recent and ongoing projects including clinical, research, education, and advocacy programs.

Summary

We conclude that collaborative efforts are necessary in order to develop long-term and sustainable projects. The creation of a database and a formal method of communication between stakeholders can contribute to improving the efficiency and impact of global health efforts in epilepsy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 180 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY, USA

    Mary C. Spiciarich

  2. Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Jane R. von Gaudecker

  3. Stollery Children’s Hospital and the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Laura Jurasek

  4. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Dave F. Clarke

  5. Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

    Jorge Burneo

  6. Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA

    Jorge Vidaurre

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  1. Mary C. Spiciarich
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  2. Jane R. von Gaudecker
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  3. Laura Jurasek
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  4. Dave F. Clarke
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  5. Jorge Burneo
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Correspondence to Mary C. Spiciarich.

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Mary C. Spiciarich, Jane R. von Gaudecker, Laura Jurasek, Dave F. Clarke, Jorge Burneo, and Jorge Vidaurre each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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Spiciarich, M.C., von Gaudecker, J.R., Jurasek, L. et al. Global Health and Epilepsy: Update and Future Directions. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 19, 30 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-019-0947-6

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