Living Well with Epilepsy II: Report of the 2003 National Conference on Public Health and Epilepsy

On July 30 and 31, 2003, 200 health professionals, government officials, and consumers gathered to develop a comprehensive public health strategy for epilepsy. The Living Well with Epilepsy II conference, held in Baltimore, Maryland, addressed the many psychosocial and medical aspects of epilepsy that patients continue to struggle with each day.

Significant progress has been made since the first Living Well with Epilepsy conference in 1997; education for researchers and consumers has increased, as well as the issuance of specific guidelines for surgery from the American Academy of Neurology. Epilepsy has been addressed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and its role in Medicaid contracting has been examined. Most significantly, advances in epilepsy research have allowed for earlier identification of refractory patients, thus allowing for increased treatment options.

There is however, a great deal of work ahead of us. Recommendations outlined in this report will help to shape the public health agenda in regards to epilepsy. The recommendations address the scope of this much needed work, including the need for early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment; improved epidemiology and surveillance; advances in self-management; and improved quality of life and impacts and outcomes of epilepsy. Their clear and focused implementation over the next five years will allow patients to begin to truly live well with epilepsy.