A new survey by 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 negatively affected their care, compared with just 7% of white respondents. Many cited dismissive attitudes, poorer treatment, or racism. Black respondents were also more likely to fear discrimination at work because of migraines.
Nearly one in five Asian respondents and 14% of Black respondents said they worried healthcare professionals would not believe their symptoms, compared with 8% of white participants.
Individual accounts highlighted the issue. Abigail Kabirou, 26, said stereotypes about Black women tolerating more pain harmed her care. The Migraine Trust’s chief executive, Rob Music, called the disparities unacceptable and urged action to ensure people with migraines feel “understood, safe and heard.”
Although 91% of participants had sought medical help, many reported being misdiagnosed or dismissed—for example, women told their migraines were “just hormonal” or younger people treated as exaggerating.
The Neurological Alliance said the findings echoed broader inequalities in neurological care, stressing the need for employers, healthcare leaders and policymakers to close these gaps.
The NHS responded that all patients should receive high-quality care and encouraged those suffering from migraines to seek support, noting a range of treatments available.
