June 2021: Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

WHEREAS, migraine is a genetic, neurovascular disease characterized by episodes called attacks; and, 

WHEREAS, according to the Migraine Research Foundation, approximately 39 million people in the United States have migraine disease, and migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world; and,

WHEREAS, migraine is the second leading cause of all global disability; and,

WHEREAS, attacks are often accompanied by one or more symptoms, including visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face, and more than 90% of sufferers are unable to work or function normally during their migraine; and,

WHEREAS, veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from persistent and difficult-to-treat headaches that have been found to co-occur with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other deployment related comorbidities; and,

WHEREAS, posttraumatic headaches occur in up to 92% of military personnel who have sustained mild TBI; and,

WHEREAS, the effects of migraine, headache, and cluster attacks are experienced on a spectrum, presenting significantly different levels of intensity, frequency, and disability; and,

WHEREAS, migraine disease impacts all systems of the body with symptoms including intense pain, nausea, sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch, visual disturbances, tinnitus, chills, fatigue, anomic aphasia (trouble finding words), impaired cognitive function, numbness, and weakness, lasting for four to 72 hours on average; and,

WHEREAS, stigma and misinformation on headache diseases have historically stifled research and advances in treatment options; research funding and public education are crucial to alleviating migraine disease which can be serious and incapacitating; and,

WHEREAS, those living with one or more headache diseases and/or comorbid medical conditions deserve fair, equal, affordable access to new and innovative treatments; and, 

WHEREAS, Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is designated to promote public awareness of migraine and headache and to support more research and ultimately find a cure;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 2021 as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month in Michigan.