A new analysis published in JAMA Neurology reveals that more than half of all Americans, or about 180 million people, are currently living with at least one neurological disease or disorder.
The research draws from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, analyzing U.S. data from 1990 to 2021. The study evaluated 36 conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. It used a metric called disability-adjusted life years, which measures both years lost to early death and years lived with disability.
Disorders affecting 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 what many might assume. While diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s carry a heavy burden, they are not the most prevalent. The analysis found the most common neurological conditions in the U.S. are tension-type headaches, affecting approximately 122 million Americans, migraine, affecting about 58 million, and diabetic neuropathy, affecting around 17 million.
These conditions often begin earlier in life and may not be life-threatening, but they can disrupt daily functioning and quality of life. The conditions responsible for the greatest overall health loss, however, were stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, and migraine.
While the raw number of people with neurological conditions is rising, the age-adjusted prevalence has remained essentially flat over the past 30 years and even declined slightly. Researchers attribute the overall increase primarily to an aging population, as many neurological conditions are more common later in life.
At the same time, deaths from neurological diseases have fallen by about 15% since 1990. This decline is attributed to better prevention, faster diagnosis, and advances in treatment and emergency care, particularly for stroke. This progress means more people are surviving neurological conditions and living with them for longer, leading to a nearly 10% increase in years lived with disability.
The study underscores that brain health is influenced by everyday choices. Factors that protect heart and metabolic health also support the nervous system. These include managing blood sugar and blood pressure to reduce stroke and neuropathy risk, regular physical activity including aerobic and strength-based exercise, prioritizing quality sleep, eating a diet rich in omega-3s, fiber, and antioxidants, and staying socially and cognitively engaged.
The findings illustrate that neurological conditions are common and long-lasting, affecting nearly every family. The research highlights that the burden is not fixed, as many major drivers of neurological disability are influenced by modifiable factors that can be addressed earlier in life.
