Every year, on the second Monday in February, International Epilepsy Day is celebrated – a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most common chronic neurological diseases, but also about the prejudices that still accompany it.
Epilepsy is not a contagious disease. Nor is it a mental disorder. Yet, these two misconceptions are among the most widespread, and the consequences of misunderstanding are often more severe than the disease itself.
If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with epilepsy, the most important thing is to know that the disease can be successfully controlled in many cases and that people with epilepsy can live full, active, and productive lives.
International Epilepsy Day was initiated by the joint initiative of the International Bureau for Epilepsy and the International League Against Epilepsy, and has been celebrated since 2015 to better inform the public about this disease and the challenges that sufferers face.
The marking is part of a wider global framework led by the World Health Organization through the 10-year Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (2022-2031), known as IGAP. The plan envisages increasing the availability of treatment by 50 percent by 2031 and improving legislation in most countries to protect the rights of people with epilepsy.
The goal is clear: to reduce the treatment gap and reduce stigma.
