2025 in review

 

GPACH helped with the publication in a scientific journal of a cross-sectional survey designed by patients to assess and describe the patients' lived experience and their migraine care journey in France. Duburcq A, Molins M, Debremaeker S, Joie J, Lopes L, Nevoret C, Begasse de Dhaem O. Overview of migraine care, impact of the disease and patient experience in France through patient voices: a cross-sectional and participatory survey study. The Journal of Headache and Pain. DOI: 10.1186/s10194-025-02018-y

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GPACH registration as a standalone non-profit organization was finalized.

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The 5th annual Education in Headache to Healthcare Professionals in Africa (EHHPA) was organized by GPACH in collaboration with Petrola in August 2025. Drs. Olivia Begasse de Dhaem and Augustina Charway-Felli were the Co-Chairs of the conference. The conference was held in a hybrid format - live online and in local centers in 6 countries (Malawi, Gambia, Kenya,   Uganda, Ghana, and Sierra Leone). Out of the 1,443 live participants, 687 (48%) completed the presurvey and 629 (44%) completed the post-survey. The proportion of participants confident in distinguishing migraine from other headache disorders increased from 45% to 95% after the training. The proportion of participants who felt confident in identifying cluster headache increased from 37% to 95%. The proportion of participants who felt confident in treating headache disorders increased from 47% to 95%. Most (97%) reported that attending the 5th annual EHHPA improved their headache management skills.

 

Audrey Craven represented GPACH and was able to share a few words to help advocate for the representation of headache disorders at the United Nations Pre-Hearing for the High Level Meeting in May 2025.

 

Dr. Olivia Begasse de Dhaem represented GPACH at the European Brain Council (EBC) Brain Days 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNG80) side events in September 2025.

 

Prof. Fumihiko Sakai gave talks on workplace interventions for headache education and management at the World Congress of Neurology in Seoul in October 2025. He talked about the Fujitsu Headache Project and the GPACH Migraine Fitness at Work modules.
  

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2024 in review

 

Audrey Craven and Dr. Olivia Begasse de Dhaem took their roles of newly elected Chair and Vice-Chairs, respectively, of the organization.

 

GRANTS

 

GPACH provided another grant to the Migraine Association of Ireland to help MAI further their advocacy efforts in the workplace.

 

SUPPORT

 

GPACH supported the Daksham, A Health organization in India by providing resources and guidance for their first support group for patients with migraine and other headache disorders.

 

GPACH supported Dr. Muhammad Ismail Khalid Yousaf in terms of education material and slide preparation for his June 2024 tour around Pakistan to provide education regarding headache disorders and patient advocacy.

 

PUBLICATION

 

GPACH Migraine Fitness at Work Toolkit published in the World Health Organization IGAP Toolkit in July 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240096356

 

CONFERENCES/EDUCATION

 

GPACH (formerly GPAC) sponsored and collaborated with the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the African Academy of Neurology (AFAN) to organize the 4th Annual Education in Headache to Healthcare Professionals in Africa in November 2024. The planning committee was formed by Dr. Olivia Begasse de Dhaem (Vice Chair, GPAC), Dr. David Dodick (Past Chair, GPAC), Dr. Wolfgang Grisold (WFN President), Dr. Riadh Gouider (WFN Co-Opt Trustee), and Dr. Augustina Charway-Felli (AFAN President). Participation in the program has increased every year, reaching 1,103 participants, 83% from Africa, in 2024.

 

GPACH (formerly GPAC) sponsored and participated in the 10th annual Asian Regional Consortium for Headache (ARCH) conference in Sri Lanka in December 2024, with a focus on integrating the patient voice and lived experience during the scientific plenary and with a focus on advocacy training.