Migraine in underserved groups – out of the shadows for The Migraine Trust

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Migraine is a common but deeply misunderstood condition, often rendered invisible by social stigma and a lack of recognition within healthcare systems.    

The Migraine Trust commissioned Claremont to evaluate how ethnicity, gender, and social grade shape people’s experiences of migraine, with a particular focus on groups who have historically been underrepresented in research. The project combined a literature review, a large-scale quantitative survey, and in-depth interviews to build a broad and representative knowledge base and actionable strategy for the charity ensuring that future plans were focused on meeting need.   

The findings revealed that migraine is not just a medical issue, but a social and economic one. People living with migraine, especially those facing intersecting inequalities of race, gender, and class, frequently do not receive the recognition, treatment, or support they need.   

Many feel unable to talk about their condition due to shame, embarrassment, or a belief that nothing can be done. This silence is reinforced by a lack of understanding and support from healthcare professionals, employers, and even family and friends.   

Women are often misdiagnosed or dismissed, while men face stigma around expressing pain. Black and Asian communities report poorer healthcare experiences and greater fear of discrimination or job loss. People from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to work through migraine attacks for financial reasons, often without adequate support or flexibility. Across all groups, disclosure of migraine, whether to a GP, employer, or loved one, feels risky, leaving many left to cope alone.   

The Migraine Trust is using these findings to inform its future strategy and plans. We are supporting them to develop new funding opportunities and share the work more widely to support more thoughtful and informed intervention and system design grounded in, and directed by, the experiences of those most impacted.   

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