Pune : In celebration of World Brain Day 2025, Dr. Kunal Jadhav, Neurologist at Medicover Hospitals, made an urgent appeal to India to immediately focus on brain health with a warning that neurological diseases are rapidly becoming one of the nation’s biggest public health challenges.
This year’s theme of “Brain Health for All Ages” is a reminder of the global importance of neurological health — from infancy to advanced age. “Brain care is not just for the elderly,” Dr. Jadhav said. “Children, young adults, and middle-aged people are also being affected more and more, primarily due to lifestyle factors of today.
Neurological disorders like stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, dementia, and brain tumors now account for more than 30% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in India, as per recent statistics. Worse still is the rise in strokes and memory-related disorders among individuals below the age of 50 due to stress, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and low awareness.
Dr. Jadhav also indicated significant gender-specific patterns. “Women are more likely to suffer from conditions such as migraine and dementia, but men are more likely to experience Parkinson’s and traumatic head injuries. But regardless of gender, early diagnosis and lifestyle control can greatly benefit outcomes.”
At Medicover Hospitals, Dr. Jadhav noted a growing number of patients suffering from lifestyle-related neurological issues. However, he emphasized that advances in medical technology — such as high-precision neuroimaging, minimally invasive surgeries, robotic neurosurgery, and tele-neurocare — are making it possible to diagnose and treat patients more effectively than ever before.
In spite of advances in technology, Dr. Jadhav emphasized that there has to be a cultural shift. “We must begin to think about brain health in the same way we think about heart health,” he stated. This entails measuring blood pressure, staying mentally fit, getting enough sleep, consuming brain-healthy diets, and going for help when warning signs such as frequent headaches, memory lapse, or coordination difficulties occur.
As we celebrate World Brain Day,” he added, “let’s recall that brain health is not an advantage — it’s a basic requirement that influences our capacity to live to the fullest and on our own terms. The moment to act is now.
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