About Epilepsy
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Epilepsy is characterized by seizures that can be undetectable and minor or have vigorous shaking for long periods. Epileptic seizures are a result of abnormal and excessive cortical nerve cell activity in the brain and they can happen once a year to several times a day. In nearly all of the cases the underlying cause is unknown. Some of the known causes of seizures are oxygen deprivation, brain infections, traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain tumours, neurological diseases and certain genetic disorders. Often these seizures are accompanied by loss of consciousness and control of bladder or bowel. It is one of the oldest recognized conditions and it is still surrounded by fear, social stigma, misunderstanding and discrimination. People with this condition often have fractures, bruising, anxiety and or depression.
The World Today
How common is epilepsy?
- Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological condition worldwide.
- One in 26 people will develop epilepsy.
- About 48 of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year.
Epilepsy statistics in U.S.
- About 470,000 children have active epilepsy in the United States. (CDC, 2020)
- About 3 million adults in the United States have active epilepsy. (CDC, 2020)
- The incidence of epilepsy in U.S. seniors is up to 240 per 100,000 per year. (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2016)
Epilepsy statistics worldwide
- Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. (World Health Organization, 2019)
- The prevalence of idiopathic (unknown cause) epilepsy increased 6% from the year 1990 to 2016. (The Lancet, 2016)
Source: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/epilepsy-statistics/#:~:text=One%20in%2026%20people%2 0will,Get%20updated%20epilepsy%20stats%20he re.&text=Epilepsy%20is%20one%20of%20the%2 0most%20common%20neurological%20disorders %20worldwide.
Epilepsy statistics by race and
ethnicity
- People of Hispanic descent are more likely to have epilepsy than non-Hispanic people. (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014)
- Active epilepsy is more common in white people than in Black people. (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014)
- In 2014, about 3 in 200 Asian Americans were living with epilepsy. (Epilepsy Foundation, 2014)
- About 375,000 African Americans have active epilepsy. (Epilepsy Foundation, 2015)