A cascade of care for people with epilepsy: learning from “HIV/AIDS 90-90-90”

Epilepsy is now more prevalent in many countries than HIV/AIDS. Building upon the successes of global policymaking for HIV/AIDS and creating a framework for countries and organizations to monitor progress in epilepsy care will help direct and justify much-needed novel programming. Given the clarity of the HIV/AIDS care continuum model and the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, I propose this same approach to the cascade of care could be used as a viable framework for people with epilepsy. In this model, the targets of success include (1) ensuring 90% of all people with epilepsy are aware of their diagnosis as a brain disorder, (2) starting 90% of people with epilepsy on quality controlled, appropriately chosen and well stocked antiepileptic drugs, and (3) achieving seizure freedom in 70% of those treated. At least 90% of all people with epilepsy must also be linked to and retained in appropriate care. Although the precise numbers may be debated, this cascade of care approach will assist in deconstructing the barriers to epilepsy care in populations better than the more familiar concept of the epilepsy treatment gap. These reflect concrete goals for health systems of epilepsy care that, if achieved, could lead to seizure freedom for the many people in lower income countries living with poorly controlled epilepsy.