A new survey from the Migraine Trust has found that people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK are more likely to receive poorer migraine care and to fear 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 reported poorer treatment, dismissal of symptoms, and even racism.
Black respondents were also more likely to worry about discrimination at work because of migraines (37%) and to fear not being believed about their symptoms. One respondent, Abigail Kabirou, said stereotypes about Black women tolerating more pain harmed her treatment.
The Migraine Trust said the disparities were unacceptable and called for urgent action across society to ensure patients feel “understood, safe and heard.” Women and young people also reported being misdiagnosed or dismissed.
The Neurological Alliance said the findings reflect wider inequities across neurological care in the UK. The NHS responded that all patients should receive high-quality care regardless of background and encouraged those with migraines to seek support from their GP.
