A new Migraine Trust survey of 2,200 people shows that ethnic minority patients in the UK are more likely to receive poorer migraine care and to fear discrimination. While only 7% of white respondents felt their ethnicity negatively affected treatment, the numbers were far higher among minority groups: 23% of mixed-ethnicity, 19% of Asian, and 16% of Black respondents reported worse care or even racism.
Black participants were also more likely to fear workplace consequences or discrimination due to migraines, and many Asian and Black respondents worried they would not be believed about their symptoms.
Individual accounts, such as from 26-year-old Abigail Kabirou, highlighted stereotypes affecting treatment—she said being viewed as more “pain-tolerant” led to inadequate care.
The Migraine Trust and Neurological Alliance stressed that gender, ethnicity and income should never determine whether patients are believed or supported, yet many reported being dismissed or misdiagnosed. Examples included women having symptoms attributed to hormones and young people being treated as exaggerating.
The organisations are calling for systemic change across healthcare, workplaces and policy to address these inequities. The NHS reiterated that all patients deserve high-quality, respectful care and encouraged people with migraines to seek support from their GP.
