The recognition that epilepsy is a multifaceted disorder consisting of seizures, underlying brain dysfunction, and numerous psychosocial complications has prompted major efforts around the world to identify and overcome the barriers to optimum quality of life for persons with epilepsy.
Public health initiatives have sought to improve education about epilepsy among health-care practitioners, ministers, teachers, rescue personnel, and the general public. For example, epilepsy-related initiatives of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have focused on improving care; enhancing communication and combating stigma; self-management, disease surveillance and prevention research; increasing public awareness and knowledge; and strengthening partnerships with other organizations such as the Epilepsy Foundation (Schachter, 2001). Reducing stigma is the primary objective of Out of the Shadows, a global campaign of the International League Against Epilepsy, the World Health Organization, and the International Bureau for Epilepsy, but this effort can be particularly challenging among cultures that continue to view epilepsy as the result of supernatural forces, as was more pervasive centuries ago.
In addition to education, public health agencies are attempting to improve access to appropriate medical care for the millions of patients with epilepsy worldwide who currently have no access to treatment or cannot afford appropriate medications.
Bibliography:
- Begley CE, Famulari M, Annegers JF, et al. (2000) The cost of epilepsy in the United States: As estimate from population-based clinical and survey data. Epilepsia 41: 342–351.