A new analysis shows that neurological conditions now affect more than half of all Americans, with many disorders beginning earlier in life than often assumed.
The findings come from a study published in JAMA Neurology that examined U.S. data from 1990 to 2021. Researchers evaluated 36 conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The study used a measure called disability-adjusted life years, which accounts for both years lost to early death and years lived with disability.
Disorders of the nervous system were found to be the leading cause of disability in the United States. They accounted for 16.6 million disability-adjusted life years in 2021 alone.
The most common conditions were not Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. The analysis found the most prevalent neurological issues to be tension-type headaches, affecting approximately 122 million Americans, migraines, affecting about 58 million, and diabetic neuropathy, affecting around 17 million people.
These conditions often start earlier in life and may not be fatal, but they can disrupt daily functioning and quality of life. The conditions responsible for the greatest overall health loss were stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, and migraine.
While the total number of people with neurological conditions has grown, the study reveals a more nuanced picture. When researchers adjusted for the age of the population, the prevalence of these disorders has remained largely flat over the past three decades and even declined slightly.
The primary driver behind the increasing numbers is the aging of the American population. Many neurological conditions are more common later in life. At the same time, deaths from neurological diseases have fallen by about 15% since 1990, attributed to better prevention, faster diagnosis, and improved treatments, particularly for stroke.
This creates a paradox of progress. More people are surviving neurological events and living longer with these conditions. Consequently, years lived with disability from neurological causes increased by nearly 10%, highlighting a growing need for long-term management and support.
The research underscores that brain health is influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors. Key measures that support the nervous system include managing blood sugar and blood pressure, engaging in regular physical activity, prioritizing sleep, eating a diet rich in nutrients like omega-3s and antioxidants, and maintaining social and cognitive engagement.
The analysis indicates that brain health is a widespread concern touching nearly every family. The burden of neurological disability is not fixed, as major drivers like stroke, migraine, and diabetic nerve damage can be influenced by factors addressed earlier in life.
The study is part of the Global Burden of Disease 2021 project, one of the largest ongoing efforts to measure health loss from diseases and injuries worldwide. The long-term data provides public health officials and researchers with critical insights into trends, helping to guide where prevention efforts and healthcare resources can be most effectively directed. The sustained tracking of these conditions over three decades offers a clear view of how demographics and medical advances are reshaping the landscape of neurological health in America.
