title: Toward an integrated public health approach for epilepsy in the 21st century.
abstract: Epilepsy, a complex spectrum of disorders, merits enhanced public health action. In 2012, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a seminal report on the public health dimensions of the epilepsies, recommending actions in 7 domains. The report urged a more integrated and coordinated national approach for care centering on the whole patient, including heightened attention to comorbidities and quality of life; more timely referral and access to treatments; and improved community resources, education, stakeholder collaboration, and public communication. The US Department of Health and Human Services responded to this report by accelerating and integrating ongoing initiatives and beginning new ones. This article summarizes recent federally supported activities promoting an integrated public health approach for epilepsy, highlighting progress in response to the landmark 2012 IOM report and identifying opportunities for continued public health action.
authors.affiliation: , Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20201.
authors.forename: Howard K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kobau
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Vicky H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Whittemore
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Marie Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hutter
authors.affiliation: US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Wanda K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015969:National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division; D011634:Public Health; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology