How Public Health Programs Support the Epilepsy Community

National Public Health Week is April 6-12, bringing communities together nationwide to promote public health programs and awareness to address important public health issues. Public health starts in our own communities, where the way we live affects our overall well-being. We are empowered to make changes for ourselves, our family and friends, and our communities, to impact access to care, seizure first aid education, health equity, and more. With epilepsy as part of public health, the journey to empowerment starts here.

Empowered Journeys Start With You

What You Can Do

Your actions make a difference.

Navigate your epilepsy journey and understand your seizures through up-to-date information, resources, and research. You are empowered to information that helps you make informed decisions and ultimately improves your quality of life. Sharing knowledge and your story also helps increase awareness and reduce epilepsy-related stigma.

Communities and Neighborhoods

Stronger communities create better health outcomes for people with epilepsy.

Community support and fostering relationships help amplify the voices of people living with or affected by epilepsy. Find your community via your local Epilepsy Foundation, support groups, and volunteer opportunities. A strong support network makes an impact while decreasing isolation, so no one faces epilepsy alone.

Cities and States

Local polices shape epilepsy care.

Getting involved in local advocacy efforts is crucial to the future of epilepsy care. Become an epilepsy advocate to champion policies, raise awareness, and educate decision makers. Your advocacy efforts also advance training initiatives, including: 

• Seizure First Aid Certification
• Law Enforcement Training
• Epilepsy and Seizure Safe Classrooms 

These public health programs ensure that people with epilepsy feel supported in schools, workplaces, and emergency situations.

Nationally

A strong public health system supports people with epilepsy everywhere.

Through nationwide participation and collaboration, we can raise epilepsy awareness everywhere, to benefit everyone. This includes continued efforts toward improving health equity to optimize health and epilepsy care for all. The Epilepsy Foundation stands alongside 150 epilepsy organizations nationwide in advocating for the passage of a National Plan for Epilepsy. If signed into law, the bill would direct the federal government to develop a federal strategy to improve support, resources, and treatment development to the nearly 3.4 million Americans living with epilepsy.

For more information about National Public Health Week, visit nphw.org.