The treatment gap in epilepsy: the current situation and ways forward

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Global Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) convened a workshop to address the significant epilepsy treatment gap in developing countries.
• This gap represents individuals with epilepsy not receiving adequate medical care, influenced by multifaceted medical, political, social, economic, and cultural determinants.
• The article reviews the current status and underlying causes of the epilepsy treatment gap across diverse global regions.

Framework:

• The workshop focused on identifying barriers and facilitators to epilepsy treatment in resource-limited settings.
• It explored strategies for improving diagnosis, treatment accessibility, and patient adherence to medication.
• A key aspect was understanding the interplay of systemic and individual-level factors contributing to the treatment gap.

Implementation:

• Several recent projects and targeted interventions have demonstrated success in delivering appropriate epilepsy management to underserved populations.
• These initiatives highlight the feasibility of providing effective care even in resource-constrained environments.
• Case studies and program evaluations were discussed to identify best practices.

Implications:

• Successful interventions offer models that may be adapted and scaled to other regions facing similar challenges.
• The findings support the ILAE/International Bureau for Epilepsy/World Health Organization (WHO) Global Campaign against Epilepsy.
• Increased global support and collaborative efforts are crucial for effectively bridging the epilepsy treatment gap worldwide.