About Headache Australia

Headache Australia is the only organization in Australia that aims to support the more than 5 million Australians affected by headache and migraine.  Headache Australia is an initiative of the Brain Foundation.

The Brain Foundation was established in 1970 by members of the Australian Association of Neurologists and the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia to reduce the incidence and impact of brain, spine and nerve disorders, diseases and injuries through the provision of support, community education and research.

Professor James Lance AO CBE, one of the founding members of the Brain Foundation, and his associates have devoted themselves to the understanding and treatment of migraine and other headaches since 1965.  Headache has always been a vital part of the work of the Brain Foundation.  In 1996 the Brain Foundation established the Migraine Foundation of Australia and from this has evolved Headache Australia. 

Aims

Headache Australia aims to have headache:

• Taken seriously.
• Recognised as a major public health disorder that is biologically based, common, occurs in all age groups, is burdensome and treatable.

Objectives

The Objectives of Headache Australia are to:

1. Raise public and government awareness of headache disorders, their prevalence and impact, and of the Brain Foundation, through Headache Australia, as the only public organization representing those affected by headache disorders and whose work specialist neurologists support.
2. Develop public education and support programs aimed at those affected by headache including a specific program for children.
3. Develop education programs for health care providers at all levels.
4. Partner other agencies to deliver programs and services.
5. Promote and encourage headache research.
6. Undertake advocacy on behalf of those affected by headache disorders, to gain the support of government.
7. Raise funds to support the programs emanating from these objectives and so benefit those affected by headache disorders.

The Foundation currently receives no government funding for its headache and migraine programs, which are funded by monies secured through fundraising.  Current programs include:

• Information line manned by general staff and volunteers.
• Handbook, fact sheets and other information material.  
• Development of www.headacheaustralia.org.au website.
• Headache & Migraine Awareness Week.
• Media campaign to raise awareness of headache and migraine.  The 2002 annual campaign aimed to encourage an estimated one million undiagnosed migraineurs to consult their general practitioners.
• Informal research project to ascertain working days lost due to headache and most frequently used medication for acute treatment.
• Funding of migraine research being carried out by Dr Geoff Lambert and Dr Alessandro Zagami, Department of Neurology, Prince Henry Hospital.

All Information Material is Endorsed by Leading Neurologists.

Headache is a major public health and social issue.  There is an urgent need to expand the headache and migraine services of the Foundation.  Government, corporate and individual support is needed to achieve this.  Becoming a Headache Australia Club Member is one way to do this.

Prepared by Louise Alexander, PhC, Grad Dip Comm Mngt, former National Director of the Brain Foundation.  Reviewed by Professor James Lance, AO, CBE, MD, Hon DSc, FRCP, FRACP, FAA, Consulting Neurologist, and author, 'Migraine and Other Headaches'