In 2019, WHO published a snapshot of the global epidemiology and burden of epilepsy.1 Although epilepsy affects more than 50 million people worldwide, it was estimated that the majority reside in low- and middle-income countries.1 It was anticipated that the burden of epilepsy will increase over time due to improved life expectancy, and higher survival rates following trauma, infections, and strokes.1
Reference:
1.World Health Organization, International League Against Epilepsy, International Bureau for Epilepsy. Epilepsy: a public health imperative. 2019. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/epilepsy-a-public-health-imperative. Accessed July 2025.
2.Kakooza-Mwesige A, Ndyomugyenyi D, Pariyo G, et al. Adverse perinatal events, treatment gap, and positive family history linked to the high burden of active convulsive epilepsy in Uganda: A population-based study. Epilepsia Open 2017; 2 (2): 188‒198.
