WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – Thousands of colorful flags transformed the National Mall into a sea of purple this June, with a first-of-its-kind visual display represent the need for greater federal attention and public awareness for the more than 40 million Americans living with migraine and headache disorders. The Headache on the Hill Installation Project, organized by The Headache Alliance and the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, serves as a national call to action during Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, centered around the anticipated introduction of landmark legislation, the HEADACHE Act.
“We are so thrilled and honored to bring our message to the National Mall,” said Annika Ehrlich, President of the Board of The Headache Alliance and Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. “This represents two decades of planning and hard work to advance headache policy and advocacy.”
Migraine is the second leading cause of disability in the world and the leading cause of disability for women under 50 in the U.S. Headache disorders—including cluster headache, new daily persistent headache, and post-traumatic headache—are disabling, stigmatized, and routinely overlooked in public health priorities and funding.
A centerpiece of the installation is the highlighting of patient stories on both signage and digital resources. “We are putting a face, name, and voice to the lived experience of migraine and headache disorders,” said Julienne Verdi, Executive Director of The Headache Alliance and Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. “With the anticipated introduction of the HEADACHE Act and this historic Installation project, we are demanding to be seen, heard, and taken seriously.”
The HEADACHE Act (Headache Education, Access, Diagnosis, and Care Health Equity Act) will be the first standalone federal legislation addressing the epidemic of migraine and headache disorders. The legislation would expand research, improve access to care, and address systemic inequities affecting people living with headache disorders.
“Headache disorders affect nearly 45 million people in the U.S., including more than 117,000 people in the district I represent,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03). “Behind each of those numbers is a student falling behind in school, a parent fighting to stay employed, or a veteran enduring chronic, debilitating pain. I’m proud to lead the introduction of the HEADACHE Act, a much-needed step toward expanding care, advancing research, and raising awareness for this often-overlooked condition. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind simply because their pain is invisible.”
The Installation project launched with a Volunteer Day on May 31, where advocates, patients, and supporters from across the country came together to install the flags and signage. The installation will remain on the Mall for two weeks and included two major events: a Congressional Briefing on the HEADACHE Act on June 3 on the economic costs of migraine and a Speak Out for Headache Health Press Conference on June 4, held at the installation and livestreamed nationwide.
Actress and migraine advocate Bellamy Young said, “Migraine has shaped not only how I work, but how I move through this world, and I know I’m not alone. For too many, living with a headache disorder means being doubted, dismissed, and left out of the conversation. But those who suffer deserve better. The HEADACHE Act is about building the future we should’ve had all along: one with research, access to care, and understanding. I’m proud to raise my voice for a cause that touches so many millions of Americans.”
Maryland-based singer-songwriter and migraine advocate Shelby Blondell performed. Testimonials were shared by Dr. Barbara Nye, a neurologist and certified headache specialist; Jamie Sanders, a migraine patient advocate; and Michael Sayre, a cluster headache patient advocate.
“Too often, patients with migraine are dismissed and underdiagnosed. Migraine is a serious chronic neurologic disease. Undertreatment leads to disease worsening and disability,” said Dr. Amaal Starling, Advocacy Chair of the American Headache Society. “These flags represent the many lives disrupted by stigma and inaction. This is a call to action to diagnose and treat migraine with the seriousness it deserves.”
Purple, the awareness color for this disease state, will take center stage not only on the National Mall but in pop-up installations across the country, through a coordinated proclamation drive for state and local Migraine and Headache Awareness Month declarations, and in a movement to light up buildings and landmarks in purple throughout June. A portion of the flags on the National Mall will be American flags to represent the active duty service members and veterans living with migraine and headache disorders.
“The Flags for Headache Installation is important to me because for too long headache disorder care and research have been dismissed or overlooked. This installation raises awareness and makes these disabling diseases impossible to ignore,” said chronic migraine patient Angelica Heidi Brehm from California, whose personal headache story is featured on the Flags for Headache website.
The Headache on the Hill Installation Project is made possible through the partnership and support of leading organizations in the headache and patient advocacy community, including the National Headache Foundation, American Headache Society, Chronic Migraine Awareness, Facial Pain Association, Clusterbusters, Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients, Southern Headache Society, Headache Cooperative of the Northeast, Miles for Migraine and the Alliance for Patient Access.
“The National Headache Foundation (NHF) is honored to support the flags representing lives paused, plans interrupted, and futures reimagined. Each flag tells the story of a person and their loved ones who live with the disabling impact of this real neurologic disease, while daily leaning into perseverance and resilience,” said Susan Lane Stone, CEO of NHF.
The Headache Alliance is a nonprofit organization advancing public understanding, equity, and systems change for people living with headache disorders. The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit that leads federal policy and advocacy efforts to improve the lives of people with headache disorders.
To learn more, visit: www.flagsforheadache.org
