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International Epilepsy Day | Epilepsy is more than Seizures
International Epilepsy Day Epilepsy is more than Seizures Monday 8th February 2016 Last year was the first year of the official International Epilepsy Day. Following a successful launch with many activities around the world, we now look forward to International Epilepsy Day 2016. Already we [...]
IE News: Issue 4 – 2015
On 12 October, IBE received the news that Hanneke de Boer, one of IBE's longest serving advocates had died. Although many of us knew that she was unwell and not expected to recover, the news was still hard to believe. In this issue we include an [...]
Ambassadors for Epilepsy
Stéphane Auvin (France) Sallie Baxendale (United Kingdom) Fredrick Beuchi (Kenya) Alejandro de Marinis (Chile) Anchor Tak Fung Hung (Hong Kong, SAR, China) Akio Ikeda (Japan) Lieven Lagae (Belgium) Cassidy Megan (Canada) [...]
Annual Report : 2014
2014 was the first full year of the current term of office and was a busy year of activity and achievement. One of the first activities of the year was European Epilepsy Day in February. This was also to be the last European Epilepsy Day as [...]
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?
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.
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.
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.
