In the latest episode of the Brain Health Matters podcast, we explore the often-overlooked impact of neurological conditions on employment—not just for those living with these conditions, but also for their carers. From disrupted careers and workplace stigma to the emotional toll of balancing health and livelihood, we unpack the complex realities faced by millions across Europe.

This episode features a roundtable conversation with Elisabeth Kasilingam (Executive Director, European MS Platform), Hildur Önnudóttir (Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, Parkinson's Europe) and Elena Ruiz de la Torre (Executive Director, European Migraine and Headache Alliance (EMHA)), who discuss systemic challenges—like lack of accommodations, inflexible work environments, and inadequate social support—and share actionable insights on how employers, policymakers, and healthcare systems can do better.

You’ll also hear firsthand stories from people who have had to adapt, and sometimes sacrifice their professional aspirations, with audio diaries from Lori RennaLinton and Ben Hunt.

Finally, you'll hear from Silvia Carter, Community Leader at Carering - Roche's internal community for employees who are patients or caregivers.

Whether you're a patient, a carer, an employer, or simply curious about the intersection of brain health and work, this episode offers a compassionate and informative look at what it means to stay employed while managing a neurological condition.

Links to resources mentioned:

• MSatWork.LIFE
• MS in the Workplace: A Practical Toolkit for Employers
• Welcome in the Workplace: Parkinson’s and your rights at work
• Parkinson’s workplace rights
• Parkinson's Europe 'Welcome in the Workplace' webinar 23 October 2025
• The Migraine Friendly Workplace project
• ERN-RND Patient Journeys

The Brain Health Matters podcast is written and produced by Elizabeth Cunningham on behalf of the European Federation of Neurological Associations, with support in 2025 from Roche, Alexion, PTC Therapeutics, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lundbeck.

Welcome to Brain Health Matters, the podcast series from the European Federation of Neurological Associations, where we explore the issues that shape the lives of people living with neurological conditions across Europe.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s fundamental to improving outcomes and empowering patients: health literacy.

Health literacy is more than just understanding medical jargon—it’s about equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about their health. For the neurology community, where conditions are often complex, chronic, and deeply personal, health literacy plays a critical role in everything from diagnosis and treatment to long-term care and quality of life.

Whether it's navigating a new diagnosis, understanding treatment options, or managing symptoms, patients and caregivers need clear, accessible information. And healthcare professionals need tools and strategies to communicate effectively.

In this episode, we’ll explore why health literacy matters, how it affects patient engagement and outcomes, and what we can do—as advocates, clinicians, and policymakers—to close the gap and build a more informed, empowered neurology community.

Guests include Kristine Sørensen, Founder of the Global Health Literacy Academy, Jagdeep Singh Aujla, Founder of the Dopamine Warriors boxing club and EFNA Community Advisory Board member, and Dr. Andra Ciucă, Genetic Counsellor and Clinical Psychologist at Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania.

Welcome to another episode of Brain Health Matters, brought to you by the European Federation of Neurological Associations. In this episode, we’re shining a light on something often overlooked but deeply impactful—the invisible symptoms and burdens faced by people living with neurological conditions.

While tremors, seizures, or mobility challenges might be more visible, many of the most debilitating aspects of these conditions remain hidden from view. Fatigue, cognitive fog, chronic pain, anxiety— these are just a few of the silent struggles that can profoundly affect quality of life, yet are frequently misunderstood or dismissed.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Dr. Oliver Bernath, a neurologist and sleep disorder specialist based in the UK, Tania Pilz, a young woman from Austria living with Multiple Sclerosis, and GraceMarie Bricalli, President of the European ME Alliance, who will share insights into the frequently-overlooked burden of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and the urgent need for recognition and support.

Together, they'll help us uncover the emotional, psychological, and social toll of these invisible symptoms. We’ll explore why they’re so often under-recognized, how they impact daily life, and what can be done to ensure they’re taken seriously in both clinical care and public awareness.

Because when it comes to brain health, what we can’t see can hurt just as much as what we can.

The Brain Health Matters podcast is written and produced by Elizabeth Cunningham, on behalf of the European Federation of Neurological Associations, with support in 2025 from Roche, Merck, Alexion, PTC Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lundbeck.