Introduction

Since the 1980s, the World Health Organization (WHO) has focused its efforts on common behavioral and neurologic disorders that cause substantial disability and challenges to individuals, families, and societies. The WHO approach is based on epidemiologic evidence and the assessment of disease burden using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). In 2010, the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) demonstrated that mental, neurological, and substance abuse disorders accounted for 10.4% of global DALYs, an increase of 41% since 1990. It is estimated that this figure will increase another 5% by the year 2030. Some of the disorders that contribute to this overall burden include schizophrenia, epilepsy, dementias (in particular, Alzheimer disease), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, stroke, and brain injury. The global economic consequences of these health issues are significant as well, with an estimated economic loss of $16.3 trillion between 2011 and 2030.

• Patel V, Chisholm D, Parikh R, et al; DCP MNS Author Group. Addressing the burden of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: key messages from Disease Control Priorities, 3rd edition. Lancet. 2016;387(10028):1672–1685.

Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 1 - Update on General Medicine. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.