You could be forgiven if you missed World Brain Day on July 22.
It certainly deserves much more attention, especially by our politicians. An initiative of the World Federation of Neurology, it helps promote the concept of brain health.
Here in Australia, we know that around one-in-six people have a neurological or neuromuscular condition.
Despite these very significant numbers, we don’t have a national neurological action plan, nor do we know what the Australian Government is doing to implement the 2022 Global Action Plan for Neurological Disorders.
The need for action is clear.
The Neurological Alliance Australia, which we currently Chair, and MS Australia are calling for:
- A national neurological research mission within the Medical Research Future Fund (neurological research is under-funded)
- A national minimum data set for neurological conditions (unbelievably, there is no national data set)
- A neurological advisory group to improve access and equity to the NDIS
- Better investment in public health, including a focus on brain health, and
- An urgent boost in the number of MS nurses.
Most of the major disease groups have dedicated action plans, research initiatives and data collections. But neurological conditions are being left behind, even though more than four million Australians are living with one or more of these disorders.
Time for change. Time for action.
