TV appearances highlight awareness and prevention as part of World Brain Day activities in Austria.
By Walter Struhal and Julia Ferrari
The Austrian Society of Neurology (ÖGN – Österreichische Gesellschaft für Neurologie) participated in the World Federation of Neurology’s World Brain Day 2026 to raise awareness about neurology in Austria.
The ÖGN celebration highlighted the importance of neurological prevention, promoting brain health among the Austrian population, the significant benefits of rapid response, and the broad scope of the field, including neurorehabilitation. Adequate neurological manpower and low-threshold inclusive access are key to reducing disease morbidity and mortality in neurology.
Austria provides high-quality neurological care with continuous advancements in treatment and innovative therapies. These include a national stroke system with certified stroke and thrombectomy units, as well as specialized care for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, neuroimmunology, neuromuscular diseases, and dementia. These treatments include novel monoclonal antibody therapies.
Equal and inclusive access to specialized services — particularly in neurointensive care, acute care, neurological rehabilitation, and outpatient care based on public insurance — is essential for the high-level service spectrum in Austrian neurology.
On World Brain Day 2026, ÖGN President Julia Ferrari and President-Elect Walter Struhal made a total of five live appearances on national public TV station ORF. Throughout the day, from morning TV to afternoon news and an evening studio talk, they promoted key points on brain health, risk factors, prevention, and inclusive access to the broad range of neurology services.
These appearances aimed to raise public awareness about brain health, prevention of neurological diseases, and early access to services. •
Prof. Julia Ferrari is president of the ÖGN and head of the Department of Neurology, Neurological Rehabilitation, and Acute Geriatrics at Barmherzige Brüder Hospital Vienna. Prof. Walter Struhal is president-elect of the ÖGN and head of the Department of Neurology at University Clinic Tulln-Klosterneuburg, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences.
Prof. Julia Ferrari, president of ÖGN, appears on ORF (Austria’s national public broadcast) Studio 2.
Prof. Walter Struhal (left), president-elect of ÖGN, appears on ORF Aktuell nach eins, a daily, lunchtime TV news and information magazine broadcast.
Prof. Walter Struhal (left), president-elect of ÖGN, appears on ORF Guten Morgen Österreich, Austria’s national breakfast TV show.
Prof. Julia Ferrari (left), president of ÖGN, is interviewed on ORF Studio 2, a popular TV magazine broadcast in Austria.
