SUDEP Action supports Epilepsy Foundation’s Aim for Zero SUDEP campaign
The Epilepsy Foundation SUDEP Institute has launched its Aim for Zero campaign to raises awareness of the risk of SUDEP. The campaign urges people with epilepsy and their caregivers to aim for zero sudden deaths from epilepsy and seizures by adopting and practicing four key actions: Take medication as prescribed, Get enough sleep, Limit alcohol, Strive to stop seizures.
As part of the campaign, Epilepsy Foundation’s SUDEP Institute has also issued a report, #AimForZero: Striving Toward a Future Free from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. The report points out that seizure control - meaning zero seizures ever - can reduce the risk of SUDEP or accidents from seizures. The campaign therefore encourages people with epilepsy to strive for their best possible seizure control to reduce their risk of SUDEP by speaking with their health care team about SUDEP, and using the dedicated #AimForZero hashtag to drive discussions of SUDEP.
Highlighting the aims of the campaign, Senior Director of SUDEP Institute Susan Vosburgh said: “The Aim for Zero campaign encourages people to do all they can to gain control of their seizures and reduce the number they have to the degree possible. Although some people may not achieve zero seizures, by working with their health professionals, people with epilepsy can strive for a good quality of life by managing their risks and working towards seizure freedom. Reducing seizures, as close to zero as possible, also reduces the risk of SUDEP.”
SUDEP Action Chief Executive Jane Hanna commented: “We are really excited to be supporting the Aim for Zero campaign. New research published in the UK this week has found that people with epilepsy want to be told about SUDEP so they can take steps to reduce their risk. Therefore it is really great to see an international organization like the Epilepsy Foundation SUDEP Institute running such a key campaign aimed at making people with epilepsy and their carers aware of things they can do to reduce their risk of SUDEP. We look forward to working even more closely with the Epilepsy Foundation when we launch our Epilepsy Self-Monitoring safety app EpSMon in the USA”.
“We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with SUDEP Action to bring EpSMon to the United States. We are very pleased that EpSMon won our SUDEP Institute Challenge for a solution to reduce seizures and lower the risk of SUDEP. The App will be a great support tool for our Aim for Zero campaign.”
More details about the Aim for Zero campaign can be found on the Epilepsy Foundation website.
