Advocating for the Headache Patient – Another Opportunity
Erick Ward National Headache Foundation
Since 1970 , the National Headache Foundation has continued its mission to cure headache , and to end its pain and suffering . The vision of the Foundation is “ A World Without Headache .” In support of our mission and vision , advocacy plays an important role . The lobbying event , Headache on the Hill , provides the Foundation another opportunity to advocate for the migraine and chronic headache patient .
The Foundation is happy to again be participating in Headache on the Hill ( HOH ) on February 13 to14 , 2017 . The annual event in Washington D . C . is organized by the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy ( AHDA ) and unites healthcare professionals and patients in efforts to improve the lives of headache patients across the United States .
Participants , which include health care practitioners , researchers , members of advocacy organizations , and patients , will visit the offices of members of Congress to discuss issues on behalf of those with disabling headache and migraine . In 2017 , we hope to build on the success of 2016 ’ s efforts .
A 2016 request , or “ ask ,” of Congress was part of the “ Safe Treatments and Opportunities to Prevent ( STOP ) Pain Act .” The “ ask ” changes every year , but it typically focuses on the lack of research into migraine and cluster headache , as well as the stigma associated with chronic headaches . Last year , HOH participants asked members of the Congressional delegations to increase funds to support research on pain , especially those focused on therapies for chronic pain , including migraine , which did not have the downsides of opioids .
Robert Shapiro , MD , PhD , Professor of Neurological Sciences at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Founding President of the AHDA , said provisions of the STOP Pain Act emerged from HOH ’ s meeting with Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii . These provisions were included in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act that was signed by President Barack Obama in July .
“ The STOP Pain Act focuses NIH ( National Institute of Health ) on pain research and effectively urges them to fund it commensurate to its burden ,” Shapiro said . “ That should significantly impact their programs toward migraine and headache disorders .”
The success of 2016 was due to an important concern that needed to be addressed and persistence of the advocates . “ You have to keep coming back .” Shapiro said . “ You have to not be ruffled when you hear ‘ no .’ You have to return and ask in a different way . You also need to insure that you have brought allies .”
24 HeadWise ® | Volume 6 , Issue 3 • 2017
170767 _ LOT A _ NHF Feb 2017 Vol . 6 Issue 3 . indd 24 2 / 15 / 17 12:48 AM