"One in six people worldwide is affected by a brain disease. It is critical that these patients in developing countries have access to high quality patient-centered neurologic care. That is why the American Academy of Neurology is pleased to partner with HVO in improving the availability and quality of neurologic care in developing countries through training and educating local health care providers," said Catherine M. Rydell, CAE, Executive Director and CEO of the American Academy of Neurology.

The 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study found that neurological disorders account for almost 11% of the worldwide disease burden. With aging populations in both developed and developing countries, prevalence of neurological disorders is likely to increase. The World Health Organization reports that the proportionate share of the total global burden of disease due to neuropsychiatric disorders will rise to 14.7% by 2020. To help address this growing global health issue, HVO is working with project sites in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, and Uganda to improve neurological care and developing projects in Central America that will include neurology components.

"Many of our internal medicine project sites have requested support to address neurological disorders," said Nancy Kelly, MHS, HVO Executive Director. "This new partnership with AAN will allow HVO to answer those requests and provide essential teaching and training to the health care professionals in developing countries who currently struggle to treat the growing burden of neurological disease among their patients. We are delighted to welcome them as a sponsor."

The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest professional association of neurologists with more than 27,000 members dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com.