Lifting The Burden Newsletter - Issue 4 (August 2008)

Welcome to LTB News, a regular newsletter to keep you up to date with what's happening - and what is planned to happen - in Lifting The Burden: the Global Campaign to Reduce the Burden of Headache Worldwide.

Welcome to the latest issue of LTB News. Over the past few months, we've focused on the Campaign's aim to determine the scope and scale of the burden of headache around the globe. We've featured a number of studies in those parts of the world where there is little to no information available on the prevalence and impact of headache disorders. More work is underway to expand these studies into new areas and we'll keep you updated on these as they happen.

This is only one of the Campaign's aims, however. Another key element of LTB's vision is to identify what needs to be done to develop the healthcare solutions to alleviate headache. This month's issue will showcase some of the activities already in motion: proposals for the organisation of headache services in Europe and a validation of the HURT index, the Under-Response to Treatment index to help primary care healthcare providers determine when treatment is sub-optimal and how to improve management.

We need your feedback on the European proposals - send these to me, or to contact me on any subjects relating to this newsletter - at isismedical@btinternet.com. If you need help with any technical issues regarding the newsletter then please contact: technical.support@l-t-b.org.

And remember to bookmark http://www.l-t-b.org for all that's new - and not new - from Lifting The Burden: the Global Campaign to Reduce the Burden of Headache Worldwide.

What's been done

• Proposal for headache services in Europe - in tandem with the European Headache Federation, LTB has crafted a proposal for the minimum standards needed for headache services across Europe. For more, click here.

• Validation testing of the HURT index - The Headache Under-Response to Treatment index is a vital management aid for the primary healthcare provider in determining when treatment is sub-optimal and how it can be improved. But how reliable is it when used in practice? New testing will reveal the answer. For more, click here.

• American Headache Society special interest section for underserved populations - the American Headache Society has set up a special interest section for underserved populations not only in the US but also around the globe. The aims tie in with those of LTB - gaining an understanding of why so many people with headache disorders remain underserved by healthcare, and under-represented. The section, chaired by Dr Susan Broner of the Roosevelt Hospital in New York, will provide leadership in reaching these people through educational activities and intervention programmes focused on primary care. Essentially, it will identify the barriers to care and suggest strategies that will overcome them. The section will liaise with LTB in meeting these objectives. For more information go to: http://www.americanheadachesociety.org/sis/sis.asp?f_sis_id=27.

• Russia prevalence pilot study complete - After the successful studies in Moldova and Georgia, Russia is the next country where LTB will determine the burden of headache disorders. After a pilot in Smolensk, a validation study of 500 people has been completed, with results due this month. A further 1500 people will be participating in the full study, to be completed by the end of this year.

About Lifting The Burden

• For a reminder of Lifting The Burden's vision and aims, click here.

And to end for now ...

We welcome your feedback and thoughts on Lifting The Burden, so don't hesitate to get in touch.

Marianne Mac Donald
Editor