On World Brain Day, leaders from across Australia’s neurological sector met in Sydney to progress a national blueprint for long-needed action for the 7 million Australians affected by neurological conditions.
Led by the Neurological Alliance Australia (NAA), the blueprint draws on broad expertise across health, research and advocacy, alongside the lived experience of people with neurological and neuromuscular conditions.
The blueprint outlines practical steps to improve diagnosis, treatment, support, research and policy, aiming to deliver better health outcomes and a fairer future for all Australians affected by these conditions and will.
The NAA and lived experience people will present the finalised blueprint to the Australian Government in September.
“Despite this staggering prevalence, neurological and neuromuscular conditions remain under-recognised, under-funded and insufficiently prioritised in national health policy, leaving major gaps in care and equity,” said Rohan Greenland, Chair of the NAA.
“Adopting this blueprint is critical. It represents a long-overdue, nationally coordinated response for an under-recognised group of diseases.”
Neurological conditions affect one in four Australians and are now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide.
In Australia, the economic cost exceeds $100 billion a year – a figure expected to rise with population growth, ageing and better diagnostic tools.
In 2022, Australia and other World Health Organisation (WHO) Member States committed to a global action plan to strengthen prevention, care and research for neurological conditions by 2031.
Despite this international agreement, Australia still lacks a national strategy to guide coordinated services, investment or reform.
“Many Australians with neurological conditions face fragmented, inconsistent and often inaccessible services,” Mr Greenland said.
“These gaps have a profound impact on quality of life, care equity and long-term health outcomes.
“Without coordinated leadership from federal and state governments, the human, social and financial cost will continue to grow beyond the capacity of our health, aged care and disability systems.”
To address this, the NAA is holding its second national workshop today to develop a six-year blueprint for a National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions.
The co-designed blueprint provides a strategic framework for the Federal Government to:
- reduce disease burden through prevention, early diagnosis, timely intervention and equitable lifelong care
- close critical gaps in services, support and access to treatment
- uphold the rights of children, adults and older Australians with neurological conditions, along with their carers and families
- accelerate research, innovation and development of new therapies and assistive technologies
- build data systems to support coordinated national policy and planning.
The blueprint supports the global call to improve brain health through greater awareness, prevention, education, access to care and advocacy.
The NAA and people with lived experience will present the finalised blueprint to the Australian Government in September. “The NAA stands ready to work in partnership with government to implement this blueprint,” Mr Greenland said.
“We’ve provided the map. What’s needed now is the will to act.”
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