Migraine summit marks 10-year impact on patient outcomes

The Migraine World Summit (MWS), co-founded by Sydney-based migraine advocate Carl Cincinnato, marks a decade of life-changing education with the release of its first-ever 10-Year Impact Report.

The report reveals that MWS expert-led sessions and resources have helped prevent over 1.6 million migraine days worldwide, highlighting the tangible effects of informed self-advocacy and the critical role of education in migraine management.

“Migraine is not just a headache – it is a debilitating neurological disease that affects over a billion people worldwide, disproportionately impacting women and those struggling with mental health conditions,” said Carl Cincinnato, founder and co-host of the Migraine World Summit.

“As an Australian living with migraine, I’ve seen firsthand how this disease is often misunderstood and undertreated both locally and globally. Our mission has always been to reduce the global burden of migraine by providing access to world-leading experts, and this milestone proves that we are making a difference.”

The report, which draws on a decade of participant surveys and independent analysis, reveals that 56% of participants experience fewer migraine days or reduced disability. Of those who reported improvements, 9 out of 10 credit the Migraine World Summit as a key factor in their progress. Additionally, 93% of participants implement an average of 3.5 new strategies to better manage their migraines after attending, while 83% feel less isolated in their migraine journey.

The findings come at a time when migraine and women’s health disparities are gaining increasing attention. Women are three times more likely to have migraine than men, yet they often struggle to get an accurate diagnosis, face dismissive treatment and are underrepresented in migraine research. Meanwhile, the link between migraine and mental health continues to be overlooked, despite research showing that people with migraine are 2.5 to 6 times more likely to experience depression or anxiety.

“The reality is that migraine is still too often ignored—by employers, healthcare systems, and policymakers,” said Elizabeth DeStefano, co-host of the Migraine World Summit. “We’ve spent the last decade proving that when people have access to expert knowledge, they can advocate for themselves, improve their health, and regain control of their lives. But there’s still so much work to do.”

The Migraine World Summit, take place free and online from March 21–28 (AEDT), provides a rare opportunity for people living with migraine to hear directly from top specialists, researchers, and clinicians from institutions like Mayo Clinic, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the International Headache Society.

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