Epilepsy in India II: Impact, burden, and need for a multisectoral public health response

What is it about?

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder whose consequences are influenced socially and culturally, especially in India. This review (second of two-part series) was carried out to understand the social impact and economic burden to develop comprehensive program for control and prevention of epilepsy. Epilepsy is known to have adverse effect on education, employment, marriage, and other essential social opportunities. Economic burden associated with epilepsy is very high with treatment and travel costs emerging as an important contributing factor. A vicious cycle between economic burden and poor disease outcome is clear. There is no significant change in the perception, stigma, and discrimination.

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Why is it important?

Even though epilepsy is an eminently preventable and treatable condition, it still remains a major public health problem due to high stigma, wide socioeconomic inequity, huge treatment gap, and the poor epilepsy healthcare delivery system in India. Thus, besides considering the epidemiological aspects, the psychosocial and economic impact of epilepsy becomes more crucial while addressing the problem of epilepsy. It is clearly evident that epilepsy is a complex public health problem that requires integrated multidisciplinary approach. Time has been lost and rather than focusing on pilot projects, a sustainable, cost effective, and comprehensive public health response is required to address the challenge of epilepsy in India. Neurologists, public health professionals, psychiatrists, psychiatric social worker, psychiatric nurse, and program managers need to join hands for prevention, improved care, and rehabilitation of PWE in India.