(Melina Albanese/ The Conversation) — Migraine is a common chronic health condition and a leading cause of disability globally. However, even in Canada, with a universal health-care system, migraine is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
This is an important public health issue since migraine is associated with reduced quality of life, affecting social life and relationships, productivity and overall health.
Increasing awareness of migraine symptoms is critical for those living with undiagnosed migraine, since getting a clinical diagnosis is the first step to receiving appropriate and effective care.
But this alone will not solve the burden associated with migraine. Policymakers need to act now to remove the barriers to accessing migraine medications in Canada, particularly as new medications are marketed. (…)