A new survey by the Migraine Trust has found that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK are significantly more likely to receive poorer migraine care and fear discrimination because of their condition.
In the representative survey of 2,200 people, 23% of mixed-ethnicity respondents, 19% of Asian respondents, and 16% of Black respondents said their ethnicity negatively affected their care — compared with just 7% of white respondents. Many reported poorer treatment or even racism. Black respondents were also more likely to fear discrimination at work due to migraines (37% versus 26% for white respondents).
Some worried they would not be believed about their symptoms: 19% of Asian and 14% of Black respondents expressed this concern, compared with 8% of white respondents. One participant, Abigail Kabirou, said stereotypes about Black people tolerating more pain reduced the quality of care she received.
Migraine Trust chief executive Rob Music said the inequities “cannot be continued,” adding that migraine often layers additional inequality on top of gender, ethnicity, or social class. Many respondents reported being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or inadequately treated — women being told symptoms were “just hormonal,” and young people being accused of exaggeration.
The Neurological Alliance echoed the findings, calling for urgent action from employers, healthcare leaders, and policymakers. An NHS spokesperson stated that all patients deserve equal, high-quality care and encouraged those with migraines to seek help, noting that multiple treatment options are available.
