Migraine Awareness Week 2025: Insights from BMC Series Journals
Published in General & Internal Medicine and Public Health
Migraine isn’t just a headache; it is a complex neurological disorder that affects over one billion people worldwide and ranks among the leading causes of disability. Its symptoms including intense head pain, visual disturbances, nausea, fatigue, and sensitivity to light or sound can severely disrupt daily life, making it difficult to work, study, or maintain relationships. Despite this global impact, migraine remains under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated in many healthcare systems.
In this blog, we spotlight recent publications from BMC Series journals, including BMC Neurology and BMC Public Health, that highlight three critical aspects of living with migraine: the stigma faced by individuals with migraine, the population-level burden and unmet needs in care, and the influence of lifestyle factors in the digital era on migraine severity.
BMC Neurology - Stigmatizing attitudes toward people with migraine by people without active migraine: results of the OVERCOME (US) study
Migraine is not only a disabling neurological disorder but also one that carries stigma. Because it is an “invisible” condition, many people with migraine feel dismissed by the family and the society who may consider their condition insignificant. This external stigma adds to the emotional and social burden of living with migraine.
A recent study published in BMC Neurology explored stigmatizing attitudes towards people with migraine using data from the ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME) US study, a population-based web survey. The study found that 70% of people without active migraine endorsed at least one stigmatizing attitude toward those with migraine. Stigmatizing attitudes were more common among people who had a history of migraine or close contact with someone who had migraine. These findings show that people with migraine face stigma from both those who experience migraine and those who do not, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and building supportive environments.
©Fizkes/Getty Images/iStock
BMC Public health - The epidemiology and unmet need of migraine in five european countries: results from the national health and wellness survey
Migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide and affects more than 1.1 billion people. Despite its high prevalence, migraines often remain under-diagnosed and under-treated, leading to poor health outcomes and increased economic burden.
A recent study published in BMC Public Health assessed the burden of migraine in five European countries - France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain, using patient-reported data from the National Health and Wellness Survey. The study found that migraine affects about 11.5% of adults, with Spain reporting the highest rates. The highest prevalence was seen among adults aged 30–39 years, and women were twice as likely as men to experience migraine. Nearly one-fourth of diagnosed respondents reported more than four monthly migraine days, and over half had more than four monthly headache days. Despite available treatments, most patients were managed by primary care physicians with a strong reliance on painkillers, reflecting high rates of medication overuse and gaps in referral and specialist care. These results highlight a significant treatment gap in Europe and the need for improved management strategies.
©SARINYAPINNGAM/Getty Images/iStock
BMC public health - Internet use May be associated with the severity of headache in migraine patients: results from a Hungarian tertiary headache center
Along with stress, poor posture, and diet, digitalization has emerged as a lifestyle factor that may influence migraine. Excessive use of screens and internet-based activities has been linked to both the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, with patterns resembling behavioral addiction.
A recent questionnaire-based cross-sectional study from Hungary, published in BMC Public Health, examined how internet use patterns affect migraine severity. The study found that individuals who used the internet between 9 pm and midnight were more likely to experience severe migraine attacks. Nighttime use, often a sign of internet addiction, was also associated with sleep deprivation and insomnia. Online gaming was particularly linked with more severe headaches. These findings suggest that reducing late-night screen time and prioritizing healthy sleep habits may help prevent or lessen migraine severity. The study highlights how digital habits are an important part of migraine management in modern life.
©Motortion/Getty Images/iStock
Making the Invisible Visible
The 2025 campaign theme for Migraine Awareness, “I AM (IN)VISIBLE,” is a powerful reminder that although migraine cannot be seen, its effects are profound. Research from the BMC Series underscores the urgent need to raise awareness and create supportive environments for people with migraine, helping reduce its global burden and improve the quality of life for millions.
Noohi joined Springer Nature in 2023 and is currently a Senior Editor with the BMC Series. She holds a PhD in Biotechnology and is based in the Pune office. With a background spanning academic research and scientific publishing, she is particularly interested in people‑centred research, research integrity, and enhancing the author and reviewer experience.
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BMC Public Health
An open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on the epidemiology of disease and the understanding of all aspects of public health.
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BMC Neurology
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the prevention, diagnosis and management of neurological disorders, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.
Related Collections
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Insights and innovations in headache disorders
BMC Neurology is now welcoming submissions to a new Collection focused on headache disorders, with particular emphasis on migraine, highlighting recent progress in understanding their mechanisms, exploring emerging therapeutic strategies, and real-world studies on new anti-migraine therapies.
These conditions remain among the most common and disabling globally. Breakthroughs in areas like calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathways, central sensitization, and neuromodulation have paved the way for more effective treatments. As diagnostic frameworks evolve, particularly through the International Classification of Headache Disorders, it is crucial to examine both established and innovative management approaches. This Collection aims to gather research that can improve care, reduce healthcare burdens, and enhance patients’ quality of life.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
· CGRP and migraine pathophysiology
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· Management and insight in cluster headache
· Novel mechanism-specific therapies
· Neuromodulation strategies
· Genetic and biomarker research
· Lifestyle influences on headache disorders
· New mechanisms investigated in preclinical studies
· Tension type headache
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Sep 23, 2026
Emerging insights into neuromuscular diseases: from diagnosis to therapy
BMC Neurology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Neuromuscular diseases. This Collection focuses on emerging clinical insights into neuromuscular diseases, spanning advances in diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic strategies. It aims to highlight clinically relevant research that improves the understanding and management of a broad range of neuromuscular disorders, including motor neuron diseases, muscular dystrophies, myopathies, neuropathies, and neuromuscular junction disorders. Advances in our understanding of these disorders are vital—not only for the patients affected but also for the broader medical community seeking to enhance diagnostic practices and therapeutic options. Through continued research, we can bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, ultimately aiming to improve patient care and quality of life.
Recent strides in genetics and molecular biology have revolutionized the way we approach neuromuscular disorders. For instance, the discovery and characterization of new gene mutations associated with conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy and various forms of muscular dystrophy have unveiled critical insights into their pathophysiology. These advancements are particularly important given that early intervention is often crucial in optimizing outcomes for individuals living with these conditions.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Advances in clinical diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases
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- Biomarkers for early detection
- Neurophysiological and imaging tools in neuromuscular disease assessment
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- Molecular and cellular pathomechanisms of neuromuscular diseases
- Cellular and experimental models for studying neuromuscular disorders
- Disease mechanisms at the neuromuscular junction, muscle, and peripheral nerve
- Patient-derived cellular models, organoids, and iPSC-based platforms for disease modeling and therapeutic discovery
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Apr 23, 2027
