Lay epilepsy organizations : the key for research funding?

Abstract

During the last decade, various position papers have been published outlining the urgent need for increased funding in epilepsy research [1]. Other relevant initiatives have included the work undertaken by the International League Against Epilepsy- International Bureau for Epilepsy (ILAE-IBE) Epilepsy Alliance Europe task force to promote epilepsy through a European parliamentary declaration in 2011 [2] and a subsequent workshop in Dublin in 2014 [3]. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) passed a resolution (WHA 68.20) on epilepsy [4] which called, among other things, for a measure of ongoing progress in improving access to care and investment in epilepsy, resulting in increased research capacity with the goal of promoting engagement with civil society and other partners. [excerpt]