Headache has its own full chapter in a new World Health Organization publication on the public health challenges arising from a range of neurological disorders, thanks to contributions made by Lifting The Burden. The chapter describes the different types of headaches that people commonly experience, highlights their epidemiological characteristics and describes the burden of headache, barriers to care and important principles of management, therapeutic intervention and prevention. It briefly touches upon healthcare policy, research priorities and partnerships with and beyond the health system.

The publication concludes that, while headache disorders are common, ubiquitous and manifestly disabling, they can demonstrably be treated effectively. Yet, "globally they are not, because health-care systems fail to make treatments available. Management of headache disorders everywhere in the world has low priority".

World Health Organization. Neurological Disorders: public heath challenges. Geneva: WHO 2007.