The Global Campaign Against Headache and its future relation to IHS and WHO

Abstract

Background: Preparations for the Global Campaign Against Headache done jointly with WHO started almost 25 years ago. It was officially incorporated 18 years ago. It is the story of a few dedicated individuals who, together with the World Health Organization, generated epidemiological data all over the world and made use of these data to gradually increase the position of headache disorders, until migraine became number two among all causes of years lost to disability. It is also the story of impressive development of scientific tools, their validation and use in low-income countries. Methods: Models of care for headache patients were developed that are adaptable and hence can be implemented in future throughout the world. Results: The last phase of the campaign shall use the impressive data set generated to cause real improvement in the healthcare for people with headache throughout the world. The recent World Health Organization initiative: Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders invites international organizations to collaborate, and headache is mentioned. Conclusion: This calls for the International Headache Society and all its national members and all other organizations involved in headache to work together with Lifting the Burden, the organization in charge of the Global Campaign Against Headache.