Marking the retirement of Richard Holmes as IDM
Dear Friends, As you may know, Richard Holmes recently retired as International Director of Meetings (IDM) for IBE and ILAE. Richard Holmes I first met him when we both were members of the scientific and organising committees for the Epilepsy Europe Congress that took [...]
Message from the IBE President (April 27, 2020)
Dear Friends, It has been just a month since I last wrote to bring you the news on some of the changes being introduced by IBE due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, I mentioned that 2 million people had been affected around the world, [...]
International Epilepsy News – Issue 1, 2020
The last few months have seen the world and how we live in it change beyond our wildest nightmares. None of us could have imagined how so many of us would have to change how we live our lives because of a virus that has brought [...]
Message from the IBE President (March 26, 2020)
Dear Friends, When I wrote my last message to you for IE News, the world was in a very different place. Since then, everything has changed. We have watched in horror as first China and then most of the rest of the world has been invaded [...]
Established in 1961, the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) is an international organisation for national epilepsy organisations (IBE chapters) that exists to provide support for a strong global network, encourage the development of new chapters in underserved areas of the world, and to encourage communication and collaboration among all members so as to meet our mission and vision.
Our members are patient/family focused and driven organisations and we work collaboratively with our professional and government partners worldwide.
Our strategic priorities are to ensure that epilepsy is
recognised as a health priority worldwide; that the human and civil rights of people with epilepsy are enhanced and protected wherever they might live; that people with epilepsy are empowered to maximise quality of life; and that research into prevention, treatment, care and consequences of epilepsy are promoted.
We work to achieve these priorities through a range of programs including:
- Public Information and Health Education
- Advocacy
- International Best Practice Exchange
- Helping Build Communities of Care
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What is Epilepsy?
![What is Epilepsy – Icon](https://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-Epilepsy-Icon.png)
Epilepsy is one of the most common serious diseases affecting more than 50 million people globally. There are many difference causes for epilepsy including genetic disposition, head trauma or brain tumour.
![What is Epilepsy – Icon](https://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-Epilepsy-Icon.png)
Epilepsy affects almost every aspect in the life of the person diagnosed with the disease. For many people with epilepsy, the stigma attached to the disease is more difficult to deal with than the disease itself.
![What is Epilepsy – Icon](https://www.ibe-epilepsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-Epilepsy-Icon.png)
People with epilepsy have a 3-6 times greater risk of premature death. Many of the deaths from epilepsy could be prevented with appropriate medication and treatment.