Counting what counts: Time for an annual statistical update on neurologic health equity

Neurologic diseases are among the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, yet the magnitude, distribution, and trajectory of neurologic disparities remain difficult to monitor across diseases and populations.

Other fields have established powerful recurring statistical resources that have become essential references for clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and the public. For instance, the American Heart Association has produced an annual Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update for decades, integrating contemporary data on disease burden, risk factors, outcomes, disparities, and economic costs. Comparable models exist for cancer (American Cancer Society Cancer Statistics) and kidney disease (US Renal Data System Annual Data Report). These models demonstrate the value of a recognizable, authoritative statistical report that is updated as new evidence emerges.

This Viewpoint proposes an annual U.S. Neurologic Equity Annual Report (NEAR), modeled directly on these precedents, outlines its scope, candidate federal and private data sources, and strategic partnerships. NEAR would synthesize the most recent nationally representative data on incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years, risk factors, health-care utilization, access and quality of care, and economic costs. Whenever data permit, estimates will be stratified by race/ethnicity, sex/gender, age, and socioeconomic characteristics.

Neurology needs a recurring statistical framework that makes inequities measurable, comparable, and visible from year to year. NEAR would provide a common evidence base for identifying populations at greatest risk, tracking whether disparities are widening or narrowing, prioritizing research and prevention, guiding equitable allocation of resources, and evaluating progress toward neurologic health equity.