A Unified Call for Global Brain Health: Highlights from WHA78 in Geneva
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WPA President, Professor Danuta Wasserman, posts a statement that will be presented during the WHO 78th World Health Assembly, Geneva, Switzerland (19-27 May 2025)
The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) is currently underway in Geneva, bringing together health leaders, policymakers, and advocates from across the globe to address the most pressing health issues of our time.
Among those contributing to this incredibly important dialogue is Professor Danuta Wasserman, President of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), who will present during the Assembly with a compelling statement on the rising global threat posed by brain and mental disorders:
“One of the greatest health threats in the world are the growing number of brain and mental disorders, commonly called neurological and psychiatric disorders. They account for 522 and 258 million disabilities adjusted life years (DALYs), respectively. This is more than the burden of cancer (260 million DALYs) and cardiovascular diseases (402 million DALYs). There is a high comorbidity between neurological conditions and psychiatric disorders, with common psychosocial risk factors, such as lifestyle choices, social isolation, poverty and discrimination. As the WHO has global brain health and mental health plans, a strategy should be worked out on how to take advantage of existing services, working under a unifying goal of integral brain health.”
As WHA78 continues through to the 27th of May, delegates will have the opportunity to explore these issues further and engage in shaping strategies that respond to this growing challenge.
Useful Resources
To follow the discussions or explore key documents and schedules from the WHA78, you can use the following links:
Author: WPA
