JAMA Network JAMA Neurology : US Burden of Disorders Affecting the Nervous System
Nov 24, 2025
Join John P. Ney, MD, MPH, an expert in neurology and health economics, as he explores the staggering impact of nervous system disorders in the U.S. He reveals that 180 million Americans are affected, with tension headaches and stroke leading the charge. Dive into the Global Burden of Disease Study and discover the alarming 16.6 million disability-adjusted life years lost. Ney advocates for increased research funding and policy reforms to address these challenges, urging a shift in focus from individual to population health.
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Global Burden Study Guides Policy
- The Global Burden of Disease compiles diverse data to quantify population-level health loss across conditions.
- John P. Ney says it guides where economic and public health efforts should focus.
Wider Scope Reveals Hidden Burden
- Broadening to “disorders affecting the nervous system” captures neurodevelopmental and systemic conditions often omitted.
- John P. Ney argues this better reflects total organ-system health loss than 'neurological disorders' alone.
More Than Half The US Affected
- In 2021 over 180 million Americans had nervous-system-affecting conditions—about 54% of the population.
- Headache disorders (tension-type and migraine) were the most prevalent contributors.