Migraine – the forgotten epidemic: development of the EHF/WHA Rome Declaration on Migraine

Despite the availability of effective treatments, many migraine sufferers in Europe still do not receive optimal treatment. A panel of specialists, primary-care physicians and patient-group representatives met in Rome on 10–11 June 2005, under the auspices of the European Headache Federation (EHF), the World Headache Alliance (WHA) and the University of Duisburg-Essen, to review the scientific background, management issues, and physician, patient and government perspectives on migraine. The goal of the meeting was to produce the EHF/WHA Rome Declaration on Migraine, a statement of the actions required to improve migraine care and the quality of life of people with migraine. The key recommendation of the EHF/WHA Rome Declaration on Migraine is education of migraine sufferers, health professionals and health-policy makers.