Migraine Gains Prominence in the European Parliament

The European Migraine and Headache Alliance (EMHA) is calling on the European Union to formally include migraine in its upcoming Neurological Health Strategy. This appeal was made during a recent event held at the European Parliament, where Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), neurologists, and patient representatives gathered to discuss the growing burden of migraine.

A Common but Overlooked Condition

Migraine is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders, affecting as many as 15% of adults in Europe. It is also the leading cause of disability among young women, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019 report. Despite these striking figures, migraine continues to be underdiagnosed, insufficiently treated, and poorly funded across many national healthcare systems.

New White Paper Highlights Urgent Needs

EMHA’s newly released white paper — backed by 60 patient organizations and supported by biopharmaceutical company AbbVie — calls for decisive action. The paper emphasizes three core priorities: ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis, expanding access to innovative treatments, and officially recognizing migraine as a neurological disorder within EU policies.

A Step Toward EU-Wide Recognition

Elena Ruiz de la Torre, Executive Director of EMHA, described the event as a pivotal moment in advancing migraine advocacy across the EU. “This meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that migraine is finally recognised as a serious, systemic health issue in EU policy,” she said.

Policy and Advocacy Recommendations

Participants urged the development of unified training programs for healthcare professionals, better workforce planning, and gender-sensitive approaches that address the disorder’s impact on working-age women. National advocates, including Dr. Magdalena Wysocka of the Polish Migraine Association, stressed the importance of EU-level action in ensuring equitable care and recognition for all migraine sufferers.

A Clear Call to Action

EMHA concluded the event by urging the European Parliament and the SANT Committee to prioritize migraine in the final version of the Neurological Health Strategy, reinforcing the need for coordinated and inclusive policy solutions across Europe.