A new survey from the Migraine Trust has revealed significant inequalities in migraine care across the UK, with people from ethnic minority backgrounds reporting poorer treatment and greater fears of discrimination.
Among 2,200 respondents, 23% of mixed-ethnicity, 19% of Asian, and 16% of Black participants said their ethnicity had negatively affected their care, compared with just 7% of white respondents. Black respondents were also more likely to fear workplace discrimination because of migraines, and many ethnic minority patients worried they would not be believed about their symptoms.
Examples included stereotypes about pain tolerance and dismissive attitudes from healthcare professionals. Advocacy groups say these findings reflect broader trends across neurological care.
The Migraine Trust said the inequalities “cannot be continued” and called for systemic action to ensure all patients feel “understood, safe and heard.” The NHS responded that everyone deserves high-quality care and encouraged people with migraines to seek medical support, noting that various treatments are available.
