What is the impact of epilepsy in New York State?

The number of individuals with epilepsy in New York State is unknown. Most studies suggest that slightly fewer than one percent of the population has epilepsy, which means that nearly 180,000 people living in New York have epilepsy. People who are developmentally disabled are more likely to have epilepsy. Approximately 9,000 New Yorkers are newly-diagnosed with epilepsy each year. One in 10 people will have a seizure at some point in their lives, but may not have another one. Three in 100 people will develop epilepsy by the age of 75. It affects children and adults, men and women, and people of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and social classes. Most people learn they have epilepsy when they are children or after age 65, but epilepsy can occur at any age.