A major new survey has revealed significant inequalities in the quality of migraine care experienced by people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the United Kingdom. The research, conducted by the charity The Migraine Trust, indicates that a person's ethnicity can negatively impact their treatment, with many reporting poorer care and even racism.
Survey Uncovers Widespread Disparities
The representative survey of 2,200 people found that a substantial proportion of respondents from ethnic minorities felt their care was adversely affected. 23% of mixed-ethnicity, 19% of Asian, and 16% of black respondents stated their ethnicity had a negative impact, compared with just 7% of white respondents. These individuals cited experiences ranging from substandard treatment to overt racism within the healthcare system.
Furthermore, the fear of discrimination extends beyond clinical settings. The survey showed that 37% of black respondents feared migraines would cause discrimination or harm their career prospects, a concern shared by just over a quarter (26%) of white respondents. Additionally, worries about not being believed about their condition were higher among Asian (19%) and black (14%) respondents, compared to 8% of white respondents.
Personal Testimonies Highlight Systemic Issues
Abigail Kabirou, a 26-year-old black woman, shared her personal experience, stating that harmful stereotypes directly influenced the care she received. "As a black woman, the stereotype that we can tolerate more pain deeply affected the care I received," Kabirou explained. "Migraine is already hard enough to explain; there shouldn't be extra barriers like gender or the colour of your skin making it even harder."
The research highlighted that while 91% of all migraine sufferers had consulted a health professional, many faced misdiagnosis, dismissal, or inadequate treatment. Common experiences included women being told their migraines were merely hormonal and younger people feeling their symptoms were dismissed as exaggeration.
Calls for Urgent Societal Action
Rob Music, Chief Executive of The Migraine Trust, stated that the inequities uncovered "cannot be continued". He emphasised that migraine adds an additional layer of inequality for many, with factors like gender, ethnicity, and social grade impacting how individuals are treated. "We cannot let this continue and need action across all levels of society so that people with migraine feel understood, safe and heard," Music urged.
Georgina Carr, CEO of the Neurological Alliance, echoed this call for change. "This report shines a harsh and necessary light on the reality that migraine is not experienced equally," she said. "Your gender, ethnicity or income should never determine whether you are believed, supported, or able to access the care you need, yet that is precisely what too many people living with migraine are facing." Carr called for urgent steps from employers, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to close these gaps in care.
In response, an NHS spokesperson reaffirmed the principle that all patients deserve high-quality care and should feel their concerns are listened to. They encouraged individuals suffering from migraines, which affect roughly one in seven people in the UK, to seek support from their GP, highlighting the range of treatment options available through the NHS.
