Headache & Migraine

Chronic headache is a common and distressing disorder that can destroy quality of life. Symptoms include pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, smell or touch; affected vision, numbness to the face, hands or feet.

Migraine is the most common form of chronic headache. It can occur just a few times a year, or several times a week. Other forms of chronic headache include cluster headache, nerve headache and head injury headache.

Management

There is no cure for chronic headache but treatments can help reduce the number of episodes. Treatment typically focuses on reducing triggers for headache, which may involve changing diet and sleep habits, reducing stress and using certain medication. Other therapies, such as acupuncture, can also help as part of a multidisciplinary pain management approach.

Migraine Across Australia - An electorate snapshot

In every electorate across Australia, migraine is a hidden but widespread issue. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of people in each community are living with migraine, with around one in five adults affected in some areas . Women carry a disproportionate burden, accounting for the majority of hospitalisations and health system costs, but migraine impacts people of all ages and backgrounds.

Despite this, only a small proportion of Australians receive an accurate diagnosis, leaving many without effective support or management. Around 4.9 million Australians experience migraine, yet the vast majority remain undiagnosed or undertreated, often navigating symptoms without the care they require. This factsheet highlight the scale of the issue across some of our electorates in Australia and demonstrates that migraine is not a niche issue but a national one.

There is an urgent need for better awareness, earlier diagnosis and improved access to treatment across Australia. Without greater public understanding and stronger frontline diagnosis, people will continue to fall through the cracks - impacting their ability to work, study and participate fully in their communities.  Migraine is not just a personal health issue - it is a national policy issue that demands attention. Every electorate, every community and every decision-maker has a role to play. By elevating awareness and driving reform, we can reduce the burden of migraine and deliver meaningful change for millions of Australians. 

Please see our electorate snapshot fact sheet here: Migraine across Australia - An electorate snapshot (supported by Pfizer)

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