Global Campaign against Epilepsy: Out of the Shadows

The campaign at a glance [pdf 252kb]

Mission statement:

To improve acceptability, treatment, services and prevention of epilepsy worldwide

Established in 1997 as a joint project of the:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)
• International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)

Objectives:

• increase public and professional awareness of epilepsy as a universal, treatable brain disorders;
• raise epilepsy to a new plane of acceptability in the public domain;
• promote public and professional education about epilepsy;
• identify the needs of people with epilepsy on a national and regional basis;
• encourage governments and departments of health to address the needs of people with epilepsy including awareness, education, diagnosis, treatment, care, services, and prevention.

Campaign strategy:

Working along two parallel tracks, the Campaign will:

• raise general awareness and understanding of epilepsy;
• support Departments of Health in identifying needs and promoting education, training, treatment, services, research and prevention in their countries.

Campaign tactics:

• to generate Regional Declarations on Epilepsy, produce information on epilepsy for policy-makers, incorporate epilepsy care into National Health Plans, and facilitate the establishment of national organizations of professionals and lay persons who are dedicated to promoting the well-being of people with epilepsy;
• to help organize Demonstration Projects that illustrate good practice in the provision of epilepsy care.

Campaign activities:

Atlas: Epilepsy care in the world 2005

To facilitate retrieval, the Atlas has been divided into individual chapters here below:

Developing approaches to reducing stigma of epilepsy: