International Epilepsy Day | 16 Feb 2022
Why in News?
Every year the second Monday of February is observed as International Epilepsy Day (IED), and this year it was celebrated on 14th February (2022).
- The day spreads awareness and educates people about the true facts of epilepsy and the urgent need for improved treatment, better care, and greater investment in research.
- The day is a joint initiative of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). It started in 2015.
What are the Key Points about Epilepsy?
- Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.
- Epilepsy is defined as having two or more unprovoked seizures.
- Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest recognized conditions, with written records dating back to 4000 BCE.
- Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.
- In India, nearly 60 lakh people have epilepsy.
- Anyone can develop epilepsy, but it’s more common in young children and older adults.
- There’s no cure for epilepsy, but the disorder can be managed with medications and other strategies.
- In 2019, a report Epilepsy, a public health imperative was released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- It is the first global report on epilepsy summarizing the available evidence on the burden of epilepsy and the public health response required at global, regional and national levels.
- The WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) aims at scaling up services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders for countries especially with low- and middle-income.