Verdi Highlights the Urgent Public Health Crisis of Migraines: What You Need to Know

Tens of millions live with headache disorders that often go unseen. Conditions like migraines and cluster headaches can disrupt daily life, yet they don’t leave visible marks. I’m one of those people, part of the 40 million who experience far more than just a headache.

Migraines shape how I work, parent, and go about my day. I have had to miss significant moments and adapt to a life of uncertainty. My son faces similar struggles; like many children, he deals with pain that others don’t see or understand.

Women and children are especially affected. Migraines are the top cause of disability among women in their working years. For kids, these headaches lead to missed school days and trips to the emergency room.

Access to proper treatment is scarce. In the U.S., fewer than 900 certified headache specialists exist, mostly in big cities. This leaves many in rural areas without the care they need. Shockingly, less than 0.2% of the National Institutes of Health budget is allocated for headache research, despite the significant economic burden.

Migraines cost the U.S. around $78 billion each year due to medical expenses and lost productivity. Companies lose millions of workdays because of absenteeism and presenteeism—working while in pain. This issue is a hidden public health crisis that affects us all.

To tackle this, the HEADACHE (Headache Education, Access, Diagnosis, and Care Health Equity) Act has been introduced. It aims to create a national strategy for headache disorders, improving patient access to specialized care, encouraging early diagnosis, and increasing research funding.

A growing movement is pushing for the HEADACHE Act. In March, over 250 advocates from 45 states met in Washington to engage with lawmakers for change. They focused on several key issues, including the Safe Step Act, which would stop insurance companies from forcing patients to try cheaper medications first. Advocates also emphasized the importance of the VA Headache Centers of Excellence for veterans suffering from post-traumatic headaches and called for sustained NIH funding for headache research.

The cost of neglecting this issue is overwhelming. Conditions like migraines deserve the same attention and resources allocated to other serious medical problems, such as cancer or diabetes.

Migraine and headache disorders might be invisible, but we refuse to stay quiet. With increased awareness and support, we can push for the vital changes needed.

For more on the impact of headache disorders, you may refer to the National Headache Foundation.

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Migraines, HEADACHE Act