The European Migraine & Headache Alliance (EMHA) is a non-profit umbrella organization advocating for the rights and needs of the 138 million people in Europe living with headache disorders.

The COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed health systems’ organization and priorities. Headache services were heavily affected by those changes, having been suspended or reduced to limit social contacts. In addition to that, patients prefer to stay at home and avoid risks of contracting COVID-19.

Emotional stress can be a trigger for more frequent and intense migraine episodes, as well as changes in daily routine, diet and the inability to exercise, which all contribute to causing distress that may turn into triggers for a migraine attack.

Migraine patients have faced difficulties in keeping up with their treatments in an optimum path, as consulting their doctors, getting their medications and even having access to emergency care have been challenged by the pandemic.

To support patients with migraine throughout the pandemic, EMHA has paired with other organizations, such as the European Headache Federationand Lilly, to create useful content for the patients. Moreover, in many European countries, some headache specialists and hospitals have adapted to provide remote consultations and deliveries of medication directly to patients’ homes or close-by pharmacies, so patients can continue to access migraine care when they need it most.

With support from the scientific community, we have been able to keep patients up-to-date with the latest information and equip them to be able to manage their condition from home.

Patient groups, the scientific community and those who make key healthcare decisions should continue to collaborate to ensure migraine patients can receive the optimal care and support they deserve now, and in the future, whatever the circumstance.

Published on 13 July 2020.