Around 9 million people die every year from brain diseases, according to the World Health Organization (Oslo Economics, 2024). According to the Norwegian Government (2023), brain diseases are the second most common cause of mortality in Norway. IHME Brain Health Atlas (undated) forecasts that nearly half a million people in Norway will die from brain diseases in 2050.
A study by Vestergaard et al. (2020) showed that mortality was five times higher in people with a brain disease in Denmark compared with the rest of the population.
Brain diseases are among the leading causes of disease and disability, accounting for 35% of Europe’s total disease burden (Di Luca et al., 2018). The period from 2010 to 2017 saw an increase in the disease burden (Raggi & Leonardi, 2020).
Studies show that brain diseases are the most prevalent and burdensome disease group of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the European population aged 15 years or older. The disease burden resulting from brain diseases is increasing due to the transition from acute diseases to chronic diseases, increased life expectancy and many socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural health factors (Di Luca et al., 2018).