International Epilepsy Day 2025: Understanding the Journey and Impact
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | International Epilepsy Day (IED) |
| Date | 2nd Monday of February (10th February 2025) |
| Theme for 2025 | "MyEpilepsyJourney" |
| Objective | Raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support epilepsy patients. |
| Global Epilepsy Statistics | - 650 million people affected worldwide. - 80% of cases in developing countries. - 40-70 new cases per 1,00,000 annually in developing nations. |
| India-Specific Data | - Over 10 million (1 crore) people with epilepsy. - Prevalence: 5.59 to 10 per 1000. - Higher in rural areas (1.9%) vs. urban areas (0.6%). |
| Economic Impact | - 2004: 16.1 million Euros. - 2010: 21.2 million Euros. |
| Challenges | - Stigma and discrimination: Restrictions on employment, marriage, and driving. - Treatment gaps: Lack of access to anti-seizure medications. - Therapy resistance: One-third of patients do not respond to treatment. |
| Significance of IED | - Reduces stigma. - Increases funding for research. - Advocates for better policies in healthcare, education, and employment. |
| Prevention Strategies | - Prevent traumatic brain injuries (use seat belts, helmets). - Maintain a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, no smoking). - Vaccination against diseases like meningitis. - Maintain hygiene to prevent infections (e.g., cysticercosis). |