European Headache Alliance Announces First European Migraine Day Of Action

Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Also Included In: Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 16 Sep 2006 - 9:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Awareness of the pain and prejudice of living with migraine, a neurological condition that causes disabling headaches, is to receive a rallying call when patient groups from throughout Europe join forces for the launch of the European Headache Alliance, on the first ever European Migraine Day of Action on 12 September 2006.

The newly formed European Headache Alliance, made up of representatives from Europe's most prominent migraine patient advocacy groups, has chosen to combine it's official launch to the European Parliament in Brussels by supporting their first initiative, the first ever European Migraine Day of Action. The EHA is the first and only Pan-European patient association specifically dedicated to migraine.

Migraine patient advocacy groups from across Europe are calling for improvement in the current level of public and professional understanding and tolerance for their condition with more effective management. "Despite increasing recognition of migraine as a complex neurological condition affecting at least 10% of Europe's population - more prevalent than asthma, diabetes and epilepsy combined - it is apparent that many patients still feel that their migraine is not being recognised as a debilitating condition and therefore suffer stigmatisation and discrimination as a result" explains Audrey Craven, President of the European Headache Alliance and President of the Migraine Association of Ireland.

"We decided to launch an annual European Migraine Day of Action in the hope that it will help to improve patients' quality of life. Education should become a priority for migraine, not only for patients but also for all those in contact with people with migraine, including healthcare workers, employers, family and friends and the general public. Greater awareness and knowledge of the condition should help to end the discrimination and stigmatisation that many people with migraine experience, especially in terms of workplace prejudice where the fear is being seen as work-shy for taking time off."

Under the banner of 'Migraine Day of Action - Ordinary People Doing Extra-Ordinary Things', a Europe-wide programme of activities is being undertaken that will include poster campaigns, the launch of migraine self-help groups, cultural events, migraine information seminars and the distribution of migraine information packs.

While organisers want to celebrate the achievements of people with migraine and demonstrate that it need not necessarily be a barrier to enjoying a full life (famous people with migraine include Joan of Arc, artist Claude Monet and Elvis Presley), they also want the day's trio of key messages - 'Migraine: Common, Disabling and Treatable' - to serve as rallying calls. Says Ann Turner, of the UK's Migraine Action Association: "Research shows that the majority of people with migraine do not seek medical advice and generally manage their symptoms with over-the counter medication. People with migraine need to feel comfortable about admitting to suffering from it - that it is a common disorder which the World Health Organisation rates as the 19th leading cause of disability worldwide1 and be confident that doctors will take them seriously and be able to help.

"In fact, while there is no simple cure for migraine, in most cases, the condition can be effectively managed and controlled with a combination of treatment, lifestyle changes and support from their families and the community. By sharing information and providing mutual support we will become a more tolerant society."

The European migraine patient groups also recently developed a Migraine Patients' Call to Action document. Their goals are to improve patients' rights and responsibilities, increased education and awareness raising, improved dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals, and finally to obtain control and prevention of their migraine.

###

The first ever Migraine Day of Action initiative taking place in 2006 was supported by an educational grant from Janssen-Cilag. More information about the company can be found at http://www.janssen-cilag.com.

References:

1. Headache Class Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. The International Classification of Headache Disorders 2nd Edition. Cephalalgia 2004 24: Suppl 1:1-151.

• Additional
• References
• Citations