The Global Coalition for TBI at the World Health Assembly

The Global Coalition for TBI at the World Health Assembly: Advocating for Traumatic Brain Injury as a Notifiable, Chronic, and Preventable Condition in Geneva May 2025

An international group of advocates - clinicians, allied health professionals, researchers, and patients with lived experience - came together as the Global Coalition for TBI to co-host a land- mark side event at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. This coalition is driving recognition of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a notifiable, chronic and preventable condition – to strengthen global surveillance, policy integration, prevention, and long-term care for survivors.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Health of Pakistan, the lead sponsor of the
forthcoming resolution. Building on this momentum, other countries - including Indonesia and the Central African Republic - have confirmed their co-sponsorship, with outreach to ministries of health worldwide underway. Pakistan has also written in official capacity to other Geneva missions and ministries of health, signaling strong government-level commitment.

Each year TBI affects nearly 69 million people worldwide. The burden is highest among youth under 40 (traffic incidents, violence, and sports injuries) and older adults (falls), but its impact is lifelong - leading to cognitive decline, depression, unemployment, and heavy family and societal burden. Without action, the global economic cost of neurotrauma is projected to exceed US$1.1 trillion by 2030, further deepening health inequities.
The Coalition has grown to include more than 30 organizations spanning all WHO regions,
uniting professional societies, NGOs, and patient advocacy groups. Its work aligns with WHO’s Brain Health and IGAP priorities, while advancing advocacy across key global health platforms.

Next milestones include:

• Continued engagement with ministries of health across WHO regions (EMRO, WPRO, AFRO).
• Country commitments and co-sponsorship expansion before the Executive Board submission deadline.
• Advocacy presence at high-level events in 2025: UN General Assembly (September), EMRO Regional Meeting in Cairo (October), Pacific Islands & ECO-Care Equity Conference in Fiji (October), WFNS Congress in Dubai (December).
• May 2026: Side event in Geneva leading to the formal presentation of the resolution at WHA79.

The Global Coalition invites endorsements and participation from the global neurosurgical community, recognizing that neurosurgeons are pivotal in both advocacy and care delivery for TBI.

Join the movement:

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