In 2018, Deloitte Access Economics prepared a whitepaper for Novartis Australia.
Migraine is a neurological condition that affects 4.9 million Australians. Migraine is characterised by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe headache. Migraine pain is typically pulsating, affecting one side or area of the head. During a migraine attack, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and sensory sensitivity such as phonophobia and photophobia that significantly affects their lives. Despite its impact, migraine is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Key findings:
- 4.9 million people in Australia suffer from migraine. 71% of migraine sufferers are women and 86% are of working age.
- 7.6% of migraine sufferers experience chronic migraine (≥15 migraine days per month).
- The total economic cost of migraine in Australia is $35.7 billion. This consists of:
- $14.3 billion of health system costs;
- $16.3 billion of productivity costs; and
- $5.1 billion of other costs.
- Migraine also imposes significant wellbeing costs on sufferers.