The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that headache disorders are among the most common and neglected brain conditions worldwide, affecting more than 3 billion people and placing a disproportionate burden on women.

In a new fact sheet released, WHO reports that four in ten people globally suffered from a headache disorder in 2021— making these conditions a major public health concern that has long been underestimated and under-treated.

“Headache has been underestimated, under-recognized and under-treated throughout the world,” WHO stated. “These disorders cause pain, disability and economic loss, yet they are often not taken seriously.”

According to WHO’s data, headache disorders rank among the top three neurological diseases across all age groups— beginning as early as age five and persisting through adulthood.

Migraine alone is now the third leading cause of disability worldwide, after stroke and neonatal encephalopathy.

Beyond pain, the consequences are far-reaching: missed work and school, social isolation, reduced productivity, and an increased risk of anxiety and depression. WHO says the personal and economic costs of chronic headaches are “immense but largely hidden.”

Headache disorders, especially migraines, affect women up to three times more often than men, a difference WHO attributes to hormonal influences and social stress factors.

Migraines often begin at puberty, peak between ages 35 and 45, and are especially disruptive during women’s most productive working years.

Tension-type headaches— the most common form— also affect women 50% more frequently than men. WHO says this gender imbalance underscores wider inequities in access to healthcare, diagnosis, and treatment.

“Headache disorders are not just a medical issue,” the organization noted. “They are a gender and equity issue demanding global attention.”

WHO identifies four primary headache types of public health significance:

Migraine: Pulsating, one-sided pain lasting 4–72 hours, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or light sensitivity.

Tension-type headache: A constant tightening or pressure sensation around the head, sometimes stress-related.

Cluster headache: Severe, one-sided attacks focused around the eye, causing tearing or nasal blockage.

Medication-overuse headache: Triggered by frequent painkiller use, leading to worsening, chronic pain.

Together, these conditions disrupt daily life for billions and contribute to an enormous but preventable health burden.

While headaches are widespread, relief is possible. WHO highlights simple, evidence-based steps that can help manage symptoms:

• Stay hydrated
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Avoid alcohol and known food triggers
• Keep a headache diary to track patterns and triggers.
• Access to appropriate medication— including triptans and analgesic can make a major difference, but many people still self-treat without medical guidance, leading to further complications.

According to WHO, limited awareness, poor diagnosis, and lack of trained health professionals are major obstacles to care.

In some countries, essential medicines are either unavailable or unaffordable.

Many governments, WHO says, still underestimate the economic cost of headache disorders, despite growing evidence that early intervention is highly cost-effective.

To tackle these challenges, WHO is implementing the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (2022–2031).

The plan aims to expand access to diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and awareness, and to integrate neurological care into national health systems.

The 2025 WHO Model List of Essential Medicines also includes the most effective and affordable drugs for treating headaches, a move aimed at making care more equitable across countries.

“The direct cost of treatment is small compared with the economic losses caused by untreated headache disorders,” WHO emphasized.

WHO is urging governments, health systems, and the public to treat headache disorders as a serious health priority, not a minor inconvenience.

With the right care, education, and support, most people can lead normal, productive lives free from chronic pain.

“No one should have to suffer in silence,” WHO concluded.