Clinicians gather in Melbourne to press the case on World Brain Day
Australia still has no coordinated national strategy for brain health, even though stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury, migraine, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease are now the leading cause of disability worldwide.
On World Brain Day, clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience will gather in Melbourne to call for Australia’s first National Brain Health Strategy.
The Melbourne group includes neurologists, general practitioners, allied health providers and members of Australia’s Brain Health Summit.
Professor Tissa Wijeratne OAM, senior neurologist, chair of the Migraine Foundation, chair of World Brain Day and co-chair of Australia’s Brain Health Summit, linked the push to recent concern about concussion. “Concussion has rightly captured people’s concerns, but it is only one part of the story.”
National plans for cancer and dementia
According to the clinicians behind the campaign, Australia already has national strategies or frameworks for cancer, mental health and dementia. Brain health has not received the same national focus.
Wijeratne argues that brain health affects thinking, learning, work, communication, relationships and independent living, so prevention should start before a stroke, brain injury or dementia diagnosis.
He also says doctors often meet patients and families only after a life-changing event such as stroke, traumatic brain injury or dementia.
Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AC, acting chief executive of Brain Injury Australia, general medical practitioner, former national president of the Australian Medical Association and co-chair of Australia’s Brain Health Summit, says people with neurological conditions still face a system that does not reflect how illness unfolds.
Haikerwal points to care that can span primary care, hospitals, specialists and rehabilitation after stroke, car crashes, family violence, workplace accidents, illness and football injuries.
Michelle Scoble, an Aboriginal health liaison officer who lives with migraine, has backed the call for culturally safe support, earlier access and simple care plans.
Meanwhile, the campaign says many risks can be prevented, delayed or better managed through blood pressure control, diabetes care, exercise, healthy sleep, hearing protection, social connection and quitting smoking.
World Brain Day 2026 is led by the World Federation of Neurology under the theme “Brain Health: Access for All”.
In Australia, Migraine Foundation Australia and Brain Injury Australia are convening the Brain Health Summit around the World Brain Day campaign.
The organisers say concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy have pushed brain health into the headlines, but those issues are only part of a broader national challenge.
