Improving Epilepsy Education, Systems of Care, and Health Outcomes through National and Community Partnerships

The CDC Epilepsy Program is announcing a new, FY21 non-research NOFO designed to improve health and quality of life for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures that can be caused by many different conditions that affect a person's brain. In the US, about 3.4 million people have active epilepsy1 (physician-diagnosed epilepsy either currently under treatment or accompanied by 1 or more seizures in the past year). Epilepsy is a challenging public health problem: 56% of adults with epilepsy taking seizure medicine have uncontrolled seizures.2 42% of children with epilepsy live at or close to poverty level.3 66% of adults with epilepsy have 4 or more other chronic conditions.4 25% of the public say they would be nervous around a person with epilepsy.5 Epilepsy is complex for individuals to manage.6 People with epilepsy may: Take many medicines and see multiple doctors. Face stigma. Not participate fully in society, including not being able to work. Live alone. Have depression and/or anxiety. To improve health and quality of life, people with epilepsy need: Access to appropriate care. Self-management skills. An understanding and informed public. The 2012 Institute of Medicine report, Epilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding, describes gaps, challenges, and opportunities for public health to address epilepsy.7 CDC has a key role in 12 of the report's 13 recommendations, including educating health professionals, improving delivery and coordination of community services, informing media to improve awareness and eliminate stigma, and expanding educational opportunities for people with epilepsy and families. This effort, along with previously funded projects, represent CDC's contributions to attaining the goals outlined in the report. This NOFO will implement strategies based on three CDC/National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion domains (Environmental Approaches, Health Care Systems Interventions, and Community Programs Linked to Clinical Services) and will target social determinants of health in order to: Improve health, social participation, and quality of life for people with epilepsy. Reduce stigma. Increase access to health services, community resources, and self-management supports. The NOFO will fund two types of recipients: an organization to provide services in at least 25 states, and 1-3 organizations to work in specific geographic areas (e.g. community, state, region). References: 1. Zack MM, Kobau R. National and state estimates of the numbers of adults and children with active epilepsy United States, 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66:821 825. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6631a1. 2. Tian N, Boring M, Kobau R, Zack M, Croft J. Active Epilepsy and Seizure Control in Adults United States, 2013 and 2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67(15):437 442. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6715a1. 3. Cui W, Kobau R, Zack MM, Helmers S. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp M. Seizures in children and adolescents aged 6 17 years United States, 2010 2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(43):1209 1214. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6443a2. 4. Kadima NT, Kobau R, Zack MM, Helmers S. Comorbidity in Adults with Epilepsy United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013;62(43):849 853. 5. Cui W, Kobau R, Zack MM, Buelow JM, Austin JK. Recent changes in attitudes of US adults toward people with epilepsy Results from the 2005 SummerStyles and 2013 FallStyles surveys. Epilepsy Behav. 2015;52:108 118. doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.08.040. 6. Helmers SL, Kobau R, Sajatovic M, et al. Self-management in epilepsy: Why and how you should incorporate self-management in your practice. Epilepsy Behav. 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.11.015. 7. Institute of Medicine. 2012. Epilepsy across the spectrum: Promoting health and understanding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.