A new Migraine Trust survey shows that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK are more likely to receive poorer migraine care and fear discrimination. Migraines affect about one in seven people in the country.
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. Black respondents were also more likely to fear workplace discrimination due to migraines, and many across minority groups worried they would not be believed about their symptoms.
One respondent, Abigail Kabirou, said the stereotype that Black women tolerate more pain undermined her treatment. The Migraine Trust’s chief executive, Rob Music, called the disparities “unacceptable” and said urgent action is needed to ensure people feel “understood, safe and heard.”
The report also found widespread issues across all demographics, including misdiagnosis and patients being dismissed—such as women being told migraines were “just hormonal” or young people accused of exaggerating.
The Neurological Alliance echoed calls for systemic change, while the NHS responded that everyone should have access to high-quality, respectful care and encouraged people with migraines to seek support.
