A sweeping new analysis published in JAMA Neurology suggests that brain and nervous system conditions are nearly universal in the United States. According to the data, more than half of all Americans, about 180 million people, are currently living with at least one neurological disease or disorder.
The findings come from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Researchers analyzed U.S. data from 1990 to 2021, evaluating 36 conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The study measured disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), a metric that captures both years lost to early death and years lived with disability.
They found that disorders affecting the nervous system were the leading cause of disability in the United States, accounting for 16.6 million DALYs in 2021 alone.
The most common neurological conditions were tension-type headaches, affecting roughly 122 million Americans; migraine, affecting about 58 million; and diabetic neuropathy, affecting around 17 million. 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 data tells a more nuanced story. When researchers adjusted for age, the prevalence of neurological disorders in the U.S. has stayed essentially flat over the past 30 years and even declined slightly. The growth is primarily driven by an aging population, as many conditions are more common later in life.
At the same time, deaths from neurological diseases have dropped by about 15% since 1990, attributed to better prevention, faster diagnosis, and advances in treatment and emergency care. The result is that more people are surviving neurological conditions and living with them for longer. Years lived with disability increased by nearly 10%.
A growing body of research shows that brain health is influenced by everyday choices. Factors that can support the nervous system include managing blood sugar and blood pressure, moving the body regularly through aerobic and strength-based exercise, prioritizing sleep, eating a diet with omega-3s, fiber, antioxidants, and adequate protein, and staying socially and cognitively engaged.
The research underscores that neurological conditions are common, long-lasting, and connected to how people live and age. Many of the biggest drivers of neurological disability are influenced by factors that can be addressed earlier in life.
