In 2020, the WHO established a dedicated Brain Health Department and developed a Global Action Plan (GAP) on epilepsy and other neurological conditions. This plan was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2020 and aims to "improve the care, recovery, well-being and participation of people with neurological conditions across the life course". With the global action plan, the WHO defines neurological diseases as a priority for the first time, for which the member states are to define national action plans in which specific implementation steps and indicators are ideally specified.

In summer 2021, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), under the leadership of EAN President Prof. C. Bassetti, Bern, launched several activities that support, pursue and complement the objectives of the WHO Global Action Plan. This was followed in 2022 by the publication of a groundbreaking strategy paper ("Brain health: one brain, one life, one approach") and the organisation of a "Brain Health Summit".

These developments of significant relevance led to the launch of the 'SFCNS Swiss Brain Health Plan' initiative in Switzerland.