(p. 1132) Neurologic diseases, epidemiology, and public health 

This chapter presents information for selected neurological conditions by referring to current or classic research papers. Conditions such as headache have substantial public health impact because of the age groups affected, the prevalence, and the associated lost economic productivity. Multiple sclerosis (MS), a relatively common neurologic disease, can affect individuals in young adulthood, decrease their productivity and ultimately make them dependent on others. Traumatic brain injury occurring in youth or young adulthood can cause years of extra medical care in addition to lost productivity among those who survive the immediate event. Epilepsy may have onset throughout the life course, it may result from trauma or may be caused by specific genes, among other causes. While there are intractable forms of epilepsy, great strides have been made in seizure control enabling patients to lead relatively full and normal lives. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), rob productivity, functional ability, and independence from older individuals; they also force huge increases in health care costs. Without question neurologic diseases have substantial public health impacts.