Epilepsy Awareness Month- November 2018
Anyone with a brain can get epilepsy, so let’s use our brains to end epilepsy! Celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Month by having a Purple Pumpkin Party- wear purple- or share your story on social media!
FACTS & STATS
Epilepsy by the Numbers
• 3.4 million people and their families are affected by epilepsy in the United States.
• 65 million people worldwide are living with epilepsy.
• 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy during their lifetime.
• 1 in 10 people will have a seizure during their lifetime.
• 150,000 new cases of epilepsy occur each year in the U.S.
• 470,000 children have epilepsy
• 336,000 children have at least one seizure annually
• 30 percent of people with epilepsy do not gain full control of their seizures and continue to struggle day-to-day with the threat of imminent seizures
• 32 percent of adults with epilepsy can’t work vs. 7 percent of those without epilepsy
• 29 percent of adults with epilepsy can’t use a car or public transit to get places vs. 8 percent without epilepsy
• 21 percent of adults with epilepsy can’t pay for medicines vs. 9 percent without epilepsy
• $2 per person affected by epilepsy is the estimated amount of federal funding for epilepsy research — nowhere near the federal funding for other neurological disorders which range from $65 to $1,147 per person affected.
Epilepsy is a Neurological Disorder
• Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain with different causes, such as head trauma, genetics, inflammation, infection, brain malformation, stroke, birth injury and more.
• Epilepsy is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce sudden abnormal bursts of electrical energy that disrupt other brain functions and cause seizures.
• Seizures come from the brain and are symptoms of epilepsy. Any brain can have a seizure.
• There are different types of seizures. Some are convulsive seizures and some are non-convulsive and can be as brief as a staring spell or a myoclonic jerk.
• Many people can find seizure control with medication(s), dietary therapies, surgical treatments, lifestyle changes and/or implanted devices or a combination of these.
• The impact of seizures and epilepsy can be significant in children and adults.
• Often children and teens with epilepsy find themselves feeling isolated and misunderstood; they may lose friends, may not be invited to birthday parties or may be ostracized or even teased or bullied at school.
• Some people with epilepsy hide their disorder, which can lead to feelings of isolation, helplessness and even depression.
• Adults with epilepsy oftentimes experience changes in their quality of life, such as mobility, relationships, employment, and social interactions. Epilepsy Foundation Impact by the Numbers
• $65 million has been invested in epilepsy research since 1968.
• 90 different research projects have been funded since 2006.
• 15 research grants were awarded in 2017 totaling more than $1 million.
• 508,534 school, community and first responder personnel trained in epilepsy recognition and seizure first aid since 2011 under CDC-funded programs.
• 108,522 people have been assisted through the 24/7 Helpline since 2014 when it started.
• 26 physicians had their epilepsy fellowship specialty training sponsored since 2006.
• 50 local chapters and affiliates make up the broad Epilepsy Foundation’s nationwide network.
