Brussels, 16/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 15 September, the European Parliament officially adopted a declaration on epilepsy, the most common serious disorder of the brain (6 million people in Europe suffer from epilepsy and 300,000 new cases are diagnosed each year).
The EP explains that up to 70% of people with epilepsy could be seizure-free with appropriate treatment, while 40% of people with epilepsy in Europe do not receive such treatment.
The EP, which explains that 40% of children with epilepsy have difficulties at school, calls on the Commission and Council to: - encourage research and innovation in the area of prevention and early diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy; - prioritise epilepsy as a major disease that imposes a significant burden across Europe; - take initiatives to encourage member states to ensure equal quality of life, including in education, employment, transport and public healthcare, for people with epilepsy, e.g. by stimulating the exchange of best practice; - and encourage effective health impact assessments on all major EU and national policies. MEPs call on member states to introduce appropriate legislation to protect the rights of all people with epilepsy. (LC/transl.jl)