The European Migraine and Headache Alliance (EMHA) has urged EU policymakers to include migraine in the forthcoming Neurological Health Strategy.
During a European Parliament event, MEPs, patient advocates and neurologists discussed the disorder’s impact and the need for formal recognition within EU health policy.
Migraine affects up to 15% of adults in Europe and is the leading cause of disability among young women, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study. Despite its widespread prevalence, it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated and underfunded across many health systems.
EMHA’s recently published white paper, endorsed by 60 patient organisations and sponsored by AbbVie, calls for timely diagnosis, better access to innovation and formal recognition of migraine as a neurological disease.
Elena Ruiz de la Torre, Executive Director of EMHA said: “This meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that migraine is finally recognised as a serious, systemic health issue in EU policy.”
Participants called for standardised training for healthcare professionals, workforce planning and gender-responsive policies that reflect the disorder’s disproportionate impact on working-age women.
The event also strengthened national advocacy efforts. Dr Magdalena Wysocka, founder of the Polish Migraine Association said: “EU-level action is vital to ensure dignity, recognition and equitable care for all migraine patients.”
EMHA urged the European Parliament and the SANT Committee to ensure migraine is a priority in the final Neurological Health Strategy.
