Migraine is a debilitating disorder that affects one in every seven people globally, including over 19 percent of women, ten percent of children, and nine percent of men. Migraine affects over one billion people.
It interferes with professional, educational, and social activities for over 90 percent of those diagnosed, yet fewer than five percent receive adequate care.
The care gap is partially a result of migraine’s financial burden.
On average, patients with chronic migraine in the U.S. pay $9000 per year for adequate care, and those with episodic migraine spend about $2000 each year on treatments.
A recent study found that migraine patients in the U.S. had a total annual mean cost that was nearly $9000 more than demographically similar individuals, accounting for both direct and indirect services, including medications, ER visits, and missed days of work due to migraine.
About Migraine: Statistics
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14% of people globally have migraine
About Me
Hannah Becker- Founder, Mending Migraines
Since the age of eight, I have suffered from chronic migraines. My symptoms include (but are not limited to) head pain, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, light and noise sensitivity, and lasting mental health challenges. What started off as a nagging headache ultimately led to a lengthy journey throughout the healthcare world; I visited multiple neurologists, missed out on social and athletic events, tried nearly 50 treatments, skipped days of school, and even landed in the Emergency Room a few times.
Despite the significant role of migraines in nearly every aspect of my life, I have frequently experienced stigma around this disorder, hearing “it’s just a headache” from peers and elders frequently. However, as those of us with migraine know, it is so much more than a headache. While I am currently on a medication that alleviates the frequency and some pain, I still suffer from and am often debilitated by my migraines, experiencing them multiple times each week.
I am extremely fortunate and grateful that I have been able to hear various opinions from many different doctors, test out multiple types of treatments, and gain access to numerous educational resources where I could learn more about the condition that once took over my life. However, my journey through the U.S. healthcare system has highlighted the inequalities in access to information, treatment, and care across our country. My situation is not the norm for the majority of migraine patients, who often struggle to receive adequate care to relieve their pain.
I launched Mending Migraines as a step towards getting all migraine patients the care they desperately need and deserve. We may be far from an ultimate, guaranteed cure for migraines, but in the meantime, we can do something to ensure that all migraine patients receive equal treatment.
I am currently a high school junior in New York City, where I live with my two older siblings and parents. My hobbies include playing lacrosse, skiing, spending time with my dog Riley, listening to music, and researching ways to improve access to healthcare, whether that means conducting research under professors or informing communities about migraines.