The European Headache Alliance is a non-profit, patient umbrella group which was launched in 2006. Since then, the Alliance has grown to represent 25 migraine, cluster and other headache disorder patient groups from across the continent. EHA was created to speak on behalf of and to advocate for the rights and needs of the 80 million people in Europe living with a headache disorder.
EHA aims to promote awareness, understanding and recognition of migraine and other primary headache disorders as real and complex neurological disorders. And we want to improve patients’ access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
On behalf of patients in general and our member organisations, EHA will give visibility to migraine, cluster headache and other headache disorders; voice the views and concerns of headache patients across Europe; inform and influence policy makers; work in partnership with other relevant organisations; co-ordinate and add value to the efforts of national advocacy groups in Europe, and provide hope for those affected by headache.
In 2010, EHA launched its Madrid Manifesto for Migraine/ Headache Disorders at the Spanish Parliament to mark European Migraine Day of Action. This document outlined our 5-year objectives to improve migraine management, education and awareness across Europe. These included gathering data on patient access to care in European countries, so several times we have run our Access to Care survey, and we continue to gather data. The evidence shows that there is a persistent treatment gap for patients, and it’s our task to help close this gap.
http://www.europeanheadachealliance.org/statistical-data/
EHA achieved that the European Parliament recognises the 12 of September as the European migraine day of Action.
Every year since 2006, on 12th September, EHA and our members mark the European Migraine Day of Action. The consistent effort to bring the attention of EU and national policy makers, and that of the general public, to the issue of migraine has led to a better understanding of the condition, and has been an invaluable show of solidarity for patients who feel isolated and ignored. We have since added the European Cluster Headache Day to our events to help bring attention to this dreadful condition.
These are exciting times for EHA. We have two new members of staff, both super-busy working on policy and communications. Our immediate attention is on the relaunch of our website. But in addition, we will be marking European Migraine Day of Action, together with Novartis and Women’s Health magazine, we will organise a Facebook Live event, an online interview between a physician and EHA President, Elena Ruiz de la Torre. People from all around the world will be able to connect, ask questions and share their own experiences of migraine. This will be a global conversation. We will be spending time planning for our General Assembly in 2018, working out how to make it an event that serves our members and gives us an opportunity to connect and build capacity. Our team will also be speaking on behalf of European patients at the Global Patient Advocacy Summit at the International Headache Congress in Vancouver in September. We’re also planning the release of data from some surveys which will give an up-to-date indication of the situation for headache disorder patients in Europe. Plus, plus, plus!
It seems so obvious that clinicians, researchers and patients are mutually dependent. EHA works closely with the European Headache Federation, exchanging information and ideas. Our shared interests include elevating the importance of headache disorders among policy makers, developing and disseminating evidence, promoting access to treatment and addressing stigma. EHA is working more closely with the International Headache Society to ensure that the voice of European patients is heard. We also align with the EAN priorities of increasing the availability and standards of neurological service and lobbying for improvements in neurological care, both of which demand the input of patients to succeed.
Find out more about who we are and who we represent here:
http://www.europeanheadachealliance.org/what-is-eha/
http://www.europeanheadachealliance.org/members/
Should you wish to know more, please get in touch with:
Olivia Serratosa – olivia@europeanheadachealliance.org
Elena Ruiz de la Torre – elena@europeanheadachealliance.org
Alison Turner- Projects@europeanheadachealliance.org
Or visit our website at:
http://www.europeanheadachealliance.org/
You can also keep up to date with us on social media here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EHAumbrella
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EHAumbrella/
