WHO and International Epilepsy Organisations Expose Unacceptable State of Epilepsy Care Across Europe

New Report Provides Recommendations to Improve the Quality of Care and Understanding of Epilepsy, and Reduce Stigmatisation to Help Bring Epilepsy 'Out of the Shadows'

PORTO, Portugal, August 26, 2010 - The World Health Organization (WHO) and the two international epilepsy
organisations, the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the
International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), have today announced the
publication of a report into epilepsy in Europe, which concludes that many
aspects of epilepsy care are seriously under-resourced.

The Fostering Epilepsy Care in Europe report has been developed as part
of the IBE/ILAE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy (GCAE). The report
addresses the current challenges faced in epilepsy care and offers
recommendations to tackle them, as well as providing a panoramic view of the
present epilepsy situation across the continent. The report is available to
download from www.ibe-epilepsy.org.

"Epilepsy is a highly treatable condition but the existing gaps in
epilepsy care and the level of stigmatisation faced by people with epilepsy
are simply unacceptable," said Hanneke M. de Boer, Co-ordinator of the Global
Campaign Against Epilepsy from the SEIN Epilepsy Institute in the
Netherlands. "By joining forces to spearhead the GCAE, and by producing and
launching this groundbreaking report, WHO, IBE and ILAE are working together
to bring epilepsy 'out of the shadows' on behalf of, and with, people with
epilepsy in Europe."

Key recommendations for action highlighted in the IBE/ILAE/WHO GCAE
European report include:

    - Improve access to care for people with epilepsy
    - Raise the profile of epilepsy within Europe and work for changes in
      budgeting and policy-making relating to people with epilepsy
    - Develop and implement effective health policy and educational
      initiatives to reduce the stigma of epilepsy
    - Promote and reinforce epilepsy research in the region, including the
      economic aspects and the more effective use of limited resources
    - Make epilepsy surgery, which is potentially curative, more widely
      available
    - Collect information from countries about existing legislation and
      regulations associated with epilepsy in order to review the
      comprehensiveness and adequacy of these measures

"We are very excited about this report," commented Matt Muijen, Regional
Advisor for Mental Health and Brain Disorders of the World Health
Organization in the WHO European Region. "We believe that the recommendations
will help countries to develop activities to combat stigma, restore dignity
and reduce the treatment gap for people with epilepsy in Europe. The report
is an advocacy tool and an instrument for dialogue with governments,
healthcare providers, consumer associations, non-governmental organisations,
academic institutions and development partners."

"Mortality rates among people with epilepsy are two to three times higher
than in the general population," commented Mike Glynn, IBE President. "An
estimated 40% of all epilepsy-related deaths are as a result of a phenomenon
called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), yet the mechanism behind
SUDEP remains unknown and awareness of risk factors is very low. Research
into this and other aspects of epilepsy is vital in order to improve our
understanding and ultimately improve patient care."

Epilepsy affects more than six million people in Europe but up to 40% of
people with the condition may still be untreated. Epilepsy continues to take
its toll, impairing the physical, psychological and social functioning of
those affected and causing serious psychological, social and economic
consequences for their families. People with epilepsy, and sometimes their
family members, are often stigmatised, generating a hidden burden which
discourages them from seeking the diagnosis and care they require. Stigma
leads to discrimination and it is not uncommon for people with epilepsy to be
denied access to education. Discrimination of people with epilepsy in the
workplace is also not unusual.

Epilepsy is the clearest example of a neurological disorder for which
effective, cost-efficient treatment is available. Recent studies show that,
if properly treated, up to 70% of people with this condition could be
seizure-free and enjoying a higher quality of life. The need for acceptance
and access to treatment is paramount. This report not only identifies the
current gaps in epilepsy care but provides cogent recommendations to address
these challenges.

Notes to editors:

About the IBE/ILAE/WHO Global Campaign Against Epilepsy

The aim of the IBE/ILAE/WHO GCAE is to assist governments worldwide to
ensure that the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and social acceptability of
epilepsy are improved. The strategy has two parallel tracks: raising general
awareness and understanding of epilepsy; and supporting national Ministries
of Health to identify the needs and to promote education, research, training,
prevention, treatment and care services.

The campaign has been officially launched, and activities are under way
in over 70% of the countries of the European Region. The collaboration
between IBE, ILAE and WHO has given the Campaign the opportunity to build a
framework for concerted action on global, regional and national levels to
raise awareness and diminish the treatment gap.

For further information please contact: Ann Little, Executive Director, IBE, ibedublin at eircom.net, Mobile: +353-86-8914046; Peter Murphy, Communications Advisor to the IBE President, Pmurphy.brainwave at epilepsy.ie, Mobile: +353-86-8108600; Rachel Terry, Burson-Marsteller, Rachel.Terry at bm.com, Tel: +44-20-7300-6352, Mobile: +44-7887-85-22-75