People from minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely to receive worse care for their migraines and fear discrimination because of their condition, according to a survey by a leading UK charity.
Migraines are characterized by severe headaches along with other symptoms including dizziness, numbness and vision problems. Around one in seven people in the UK have the condition.
A representative survey of 2,200 people by the Migraine Trust found that 23% of mixed ethnicity, 19% of Asian and 16% of black respondents said their ethnicity had a negative impact on their treatment – citing poor treatment and even racism – compared to just 7% of white respondents.
Black people were also more likely to fear discrimination or negative impact on their careers due to migraines (37%) compared to just over a quarter (26%) of white respondents.
Nearly a fifth (19%) of Asian respondents and 14% of black respondents said they were concerned they would not be believed about their migraines, compared with 8% of white respondents.
Abigail Kabiru, 26, said her ethnicity negatively impacted her experience with migraines. “As a Black woman, the stereotype that we can endure more pain deeply impacted the care I received,” Cabiro said. “Migraines are already hard enough to explain; there should be no additional barriers such as gender or skin color that further complicate the situation.”
Rob Musick, chief executive of the Migraine Trust, said the inequalities in care people face “cannot continue”.
“It is sad to see that so many people avoid seeking support or even talking about their migraines for fear that they will come with social penalties, including job loss and stereotypes. For some, migraines are not only a medical condition, but add an additional layer of inequality, with gender, ethnicity and social status influencing how they are treated or expected to be treated,” Music said.
“We cannot allow this to continue and we need action at all levels of society to ensure people with migraines feel understood, safe and heard.”
The study found that of all the people who experienced migraines, 91% of participants contacted health care providers, but many reported being misdiagnosed, fired, or treated inadequately.
Examples include women being told their migraines were hormonal or “just part of being a woman”, while young men felt they were dismissed as “exaggerating or attention seeking”.
Georgina Carr, chief executive of the Neuroscience Alliance, said: “This report shines a stark and necessary light on the reality that migraines are not experienced equally. Your gender, ethnicity or income should never determine whether you are believed, supported or able to access the help you need, yet this is what too many people living with migraines face.”
She added: “These results echo what we see in the neuroscience community: people being fired, misdiagnosed or left to cope alone because the system is not designed with their needs in mind.
“We urgently need action from employers, health leaders and policymakers to close these gaps. Addressing the inequalities uncovered in this report is essential if we are serious about improving neurological care and ensuring no one is left behind.”
An NHS spokesman said: “All patients, regardless of their background, ethnicity or gender, should have access to high-quality care, and everyone deserves to feel their concerns are listened to. We know that migraine can be extremely debilitating for those who experience it, and we encourage people to seek support from their local GP as there is a range of treatment options available on the NHS.”
