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Headache disorders, including migraines, remain one of the world’s most common and disabling health conditions, affecting more than one-third of the global population, according to a new international study.
The research, conducted by neurology experts from La Trobe University and Western Health and published in Cell Reports Medicine, analysed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study covering 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021.
The study found that approximately 2.8 billion people worldwide live with headache disorders, making them a leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs). While tension-type headaches are more common, migraines are significantly more disabling per individual.
Modern lifestyles—including high stress levels, sedentary behavior, poor-quality sleep, and alcohol and caffeine consumption—continue to drive the prevalence of headache disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded the issue, with patients reporting acute or chronic headaches following SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination, alongside disrupted healthcare access and increased psychological stress.
Women aged 30–44 and individuals living in higher-income countries were found to be disproportionately affected. Despite advances in diagnostics and treatment, lead author Professor Tissa Wijeratne warned that the global prevalence of headache disorders is unlikely to decline without substantial interventions, citing persistent risk factors and limited access to professional care.
“The limited use of professional healthcare services, coupled with an overreliance on over-the-counter treatments, continues to impede progress,” Professor Wijeratne said. He emphasized the need for tailored interventions, increased health care funding, and prioritization of headache disorders in global health agendas.
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