Hallway Conversation on Higher Estimate of People Living with Epilepsy in the US

Epilepsy.com Editor-In-Chief Dr. Joseph Sirven talks with Dr. Matthew Zack and Rosemarie Kobau MPH from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding their latest estimate of the number of people living with epilepsy in the U.S.

CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on August 11, 2017, stated that at least 3.4 million people in the U.S. live with seizures, including 470,000 children, are living with epilepsy. In addition to breaking the data down by age (adults and children), the report includes state-by-state data.

Questions covered include

• How is the CDC involved in the epilepsy community?
• What are the latest published findings of epilepsy cases in the U.S.?
• How has the number of people living with epilepsy changed?
• What do you see as the biggest limitations to the study?
• How will this data be used? Why is this information important?

Listen to the Podcast

Upon release of the report, the Epilepsy Foundation's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Jacqueline French, said, “These numbers show a substantial growth from previous data. One of the biggest challenges with epilepsy is that it is frequently under diagnosed and under recognized, in part because it is associated with many co-occurring conditions. This report also highlights the need for expanded, reliable surveillance efforts of epilepsy and seizure disorders.”

Philip Gattone, president and CEO, Epilepsy Foundation, added, “This report confirms what many in our community have suspected: Epilepsy has been under-reported. We are very grateful that we have a public health program at the CDC for epilepsy. Their new data strengthens our resolve. We fight every day to improve the lives of millions of people who have epilepsy. Seizures diminish and steal lives. We won’t rest until this ends.”

Learn more about programs and resources offered by the CDC at cdc.gov/epilepsy.