Contents
Table of contents
Overview
14,511,046
Total Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to meningitis around the world
Source: IHME, GBD 2021
602,897
Total Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) due to meningitis around the world
Source: IHME, GBD 2021
13,908,150
Total Years of Life Lost (YLLs) due to meningitis around the world
Source: IHME, GBD 2021
How do we measure the impact of meningitis?
DALYs = YLLs + YLDs
Measuring the impact of meningitis can be done in different ways. Years of life lost (YLLs), due to dying earlier because of the disease, years lived with disability (YLDs) due to meningitis, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) which is calculated by adding YLLs and YLDs.
The impact of meningitis can also have wider consequences for survivors and their communities; from medical and educational, to social and economic. The third visionary goal of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 commits aims to to reducing disability and improving quality of life after meningitis.
Which lifelong impairments are people left with after meningitis?
Across the world, bacterial meningitis leaves one in five people with lifelong disabilities
Many survivors of meningitis are left with or sensory impairments or neurological disorders including hearing loss, blindness and vision loss, intellectual and developmental disability and epilepsy.
This chart looks at the four most common impairments that can result from meningitis. Use the drop-down menus to see data for your country, or look at different World Health Organization (WHO) regions.
Neurological disorders are the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. Meningitis is the sixth largest contributor to neurological disorders globally in all ages, and the second highest in children under five years of age.
Better access to care and support services for meningitis survivors is vital to enhance the quality of life of people affected by this terrible disease.
Where is the greatest amount of impairment due to meningitis?
Lower income countries face higher rates of impairment
This world map shows impairment due to meningitis in every county, using years lived with disability (YLDs). It works at a glance, so the larger the circle, the higher the rate of impairment for that country.
Interact with the map to see the rate of impairment due of meningitis in your country, and in WHO regions. The highest impairment due to meningitis is in the WHO Africa region.
The WHO estimates that achieving the goals of the Road Map could avert 780,000 cases of long-lasting health conditions or impairments (called sequelae by health professionals) by 2030.
How does life look after meningitis? Share your story and learn from other survivors
Storytelling is powerful. It helps to bring experiences into focus and forge connections like nothing else. That’s why sharing individual, real experiences of meningitis can break down barriers, increase understanding and spread vital awareness.
You might be interested in…
One Neurology
The One Voice for Neurology podcast series explores why it’s time to make neurology a global public health priority
WHO Intersectoral Global Action Plan
This global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders aims to improve access to treatment, care and quality of life for people living with neurological disorders, plus their carers and families.
Citing our work
We welcome you using our data to advocate for and raise awareness of meningitis. However, when citing this information please include references to underlying data sources, as this important work relies on many different people and organisations.
Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF). (2024). Meningitis Progress Tracker | Meningitis Research Foundation.
www.meningitis.org. https://www.meningitis.org/mpt
Want to support our work?
Your donation for meningitis research drives vital advancements in prevention, treatment, and public health education, saving lives and fostering hope for a future free from this devastating disease. Join us in the fight against meningitis today to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.
