June is recognized as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, and this year, the city of Birmingham helped shine a light on a condition that affects millions but is often misunderstood.
Through the advocacy efforts of Scott Turner, DNP, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Neurology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and several patient advocacy organizations, the City of Birmingham issued a proclamation recognizing Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.
Scott Turner, DNPThe recognition is an important step toward increasing public understanding of migraine as a serious neurological disease rather than simply a headache, said Turner.
“Migraine is a very common and disabling condition,” Turner explained. “It is important that people realize it often begins in childhood.”
Turner serves as treasurer for the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, a national organization focused on raising awareness, combating stigma and improving advocacy for people living with headache disorders. As part of a nationwide awareness initiative, advocacy groups encouraged members to promote migraine awareness in their local communities through outreach and education.
While advocacy partners worked to secure statewide recognition through Gov. Kay Ivey’s office, Turner coordinated with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office to secure the city proclamation.
For Turner, awareness efforts are especially meaningful because many people do not realize children can experience migraine attacks.
“People often think of migraine as something that affects middle-aged adults, but migraine is actually a lifelong disease of the nervous system,” Turner noted.
Migraine can significantly affect a child’s ability to function at school, participate in sports and maintain daily routines. Symptoms often extend beyond head pain and may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, vision changes and cognitive difficulties.
One of the biggest misconceptions, according to Turner, is that recurring headaches in children are normal.
“It is common, but it is not normal to have recurring headaches that interfere with daily life,” Turner emphasized. “If headaches are causing a child to miss school, struggle with activities or experience symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity or vision changes, that is something that needs attention.”
Turner’s research has focused on understanding migraine-related disability in children and adolescents. In a in JAMA Pediatrics, Turner and colleagues found an association between headache disorders and reduced school functioning, highlighting the impact migraine can have on attendance and academic performance.
Because migraine often runs in families, many children grow up assuming frequent headaches are normal and may not receive a diagnosis until symptoms significantly worsen.
Early recognition is critical, said Turner.
“One of the biggest opportunities we have is identifying migraine earlier,” Turner explained. “If we can recognize and treat it in childhood, we may be able to reduce much of the long-term disability associated with it.”
He believes school nurses and other frontline providers may play an important role in identifying migraine symptoms earlier, allowing children to receive evaluation and treatment before the condition becomes more disabling.
Migraine is highly treatable and early diagnosis can help reduce long-term disability. Treatments may include lifestyle interventions, preventive medications and therapies designed to stop migraine attacks when symptoms begin.
Beyond clinical care and research, Turner advocates for broader systemic change. His advocacy efforts focus on raising awareness, combating stigma and correcting misconceptions about migraine disease while pushing for increased federal recognition of migraine as a major public health issue.
Turner is also involved in efforts encouraging the federal government to address migraine through national strategy development, improved interagency coordination, expanded data sharing and increased research investment, including legislation such as the HEADACHE Act.
Despite migraine affecting millions of people, research funding remains disproportionately low compared with other highly disabling conditions, Turner added.
“Migraine is treatable, and help is available,” said Turner. “Early intervention can make a meaningful difference in a child’s long-term quality of life.”
can we link to the published study?