GLOBSEC Neuro Map 2024

The GLOBSEC Neuro Map, expanded in 2023 to encompass all EU countries, provides an overview of the readiness of Central and Eastern European (CEE) healthcare systems to adapt and respond to future challenges through a single composite index. This allows for the comparison of the key elements of individual approaches and systems of less and more developed countries, answering fundamental questions about system preparedness and resilience.

Demographic Shifts and Healthcare Demands

The EU is currently experiencing a demographic shift with an aging society, expected to significantly increase the demand for healthcare services. This growing demand presents a multifaceted challenge, as the average age of the population increases, and diagnosis patterns shift. While the incidence of some diseases can be mitigated through timely prevention and risk factor management, such as certain oncological diseases, others, including neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders, require more comprehensive, systematic approaches and solutions.

Economic and Social Consequences

Age-related diseases, particularly those that reduce mobility, increase dependence on social benefits, and reduce workforce participation, primarily spill over into other sectors. Although the direct costs of treatment may not be high, the broader negative consequences of these diseases, if not diagnosed early and managed effectively, can significantly impact workforce capacity and the GDP of countries.

Study Focus on Neurodegenerative Diseases

The GLOBSEC Neuro Map 2024 specifically focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, which are among the most significant challenges for the future in the CEE region. The aim of this study is not to rank the best countries but to create an overview for policy-makers to understand the expected changes in the disease burden of neurodegenerative diseases and analyze how prepared a country is to face these changes in comparison to the best-in-class countries in the EU. Essentially, the study provides a balance-sheet perspective, a “map” that allows for a quick assessment of every CEE country's position and identifies areas that need attention and development to ensure sustainable healthcare services in the future.

Read the full report below.