In the sustainable development goals (SDG) context of seeking universal health coverage, the expanding gap between the supply of specialized and primary providers of headache-related health care on the one hand and the care needs of the very large number of people affected by headache on the other is a formidable but not insoluble public-health challenge. Structured headache services provide a cost-effective framework for provision of care but may still be overwhelmed by demand. Community pharmacists are an underutilized resource, potentially well able to provide the solution. This collection aligns with UN SDG-3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages), and more specifically with SDG-3.8 (Achieve universal health coverage ..., access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines ... for all). The collection may include reports (especially comparative studies) on current pharmacy practice (scope, responsibilities and regulatory and other restrictions) relevant to headache care in countries worldwide — especially, but not restricted to, low and lower-middle-income countries; studies of pharmacists' knowledge and understanding of headache disorders and their management, theoretically argued proposals for change that, through educational initiatives, expansion of community pharmacists' scope of practice or by other means, might relieve strained headache-care systems; and studies of workload-shifting in headache care from medical to community pharmacy services (economic evaluations, theoretical or empirical assessments of benefits versus harms, and reports of pilot implementations either in headache care or in other therapeutic areas that might be pathfinders for headache care).

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, Good Health & Well-Being.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.

Headache disorders, including migraine and tension-type headache, represent a significant yet under-addressed global health challenge, affecting over 3 billion people and ranking among the leading causes of disability worldwide according to Global Burden of Disease studies. This Collection, "Headache and SDG," explores the intersection of headache research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being, to advocate for integrated strategies that reduce burden, enhance access to care, and promote equity.

Drawing on insights from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies, contributions will address key actions: targeting chronic headaches through evidence-based interventions; curbing medication overuse; advancing education for healthcare providers; ensuring affordable treatments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); fostering international collaborations; and building alliances against headache stigma. By rethinking headache as a public health priority, the Collection highlights opportunities for policy reform, innovative therapies like AI-driven diagnostics, and multidisciplinary approaches to achieve SDG targets by 2030.

Authors are invited to submit original research, reviews, and perspectives that bridge neuroscience, epidemiology, and global health, emphasizing actionable solutions for underserved populations. By bringing together scientists, clinicians, and global health leaders, this Collection aims to stimulate new ideas, collaborations, and solutions—helping to drive a turning point in how the world understands, prioritizes, and addresses headache disorders as a central component of global brain health.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being. Articles overlapping with SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 13: Climate Action are also welcome.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.