Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy & The Headache Alliance

New Merch Alert! "But have you tried drinking more water?" We've all heard the unsolicited advice. Yes, hydration is important but no, it's not a "cure" for your headache disorder. 🙄 So let's have some fun with it and raise funds for The Headache Alliance in the process! Check out our full merch store: https://lnkd.in/ddGnKCWX

We had the pleasure of chatting with Katie Sale, Executive Director of the AMERICAN BRAIN COALITION about our work at the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy for their AdvocacyChampions podcast. The AHDA is proud to be a member of the ABC Coalition. Check out the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eB3j4ACJ

You may have noticed a new logo and name added to our social media profiles. Who is THA? The AHDA is so excited to announce the creation of our 501(c)(3) sister entity, The Headache Alliance (THA)! THA broadens the impact of the AHDA’s work by engaging in year-round education and programing, conducting large-scale public awareness campaigns and, with the support of dedicated headache advocates like you, increased funding for headache disorder research. The creation of THA, with a mission of improving the quality of life of those living with headache disorders, allows the AHDA to focus exclusively on legislative advocacy. Together THA and AHDA will work to create a better world for every person living with migraine and other headache disorders! Want to support THA's work? Make a tax-deductible donation today! https://lnkd.in/eTa9di7K

Accepted for the Fall Virtual Headache on the Hill? Please be sure to complete your registration form by tomorrow, Saturday, August 17th! Have any questions? Please refer to the acceptance email sent to you or contact us via DM or email for more information or if you want to ask for a fee exemption. If you didn't receive an acceptance email, be sure to check your SPAM folder before reaching out! We can't wait to welcome you into the cohort and to work together to advocate for migraine and headache disorder patients. Missed the HOH application period? Stay tuned! Applications for the 2025 Spring In-Person Headache on the Hill will open in November!

Meet Our Interns: Hannah is one of our Communications Interns this summer! Hannah currently attends Temple University and is studying Advertising and Public Relations. She is expected to graduate in May of 2025. Some of her hobbies include reading, writing, and playing tennis. This summer, Hannah has been working on social media posts and other communication related tasks. Her favorite part about interning for THA is gaining new experiences and being a part of a team!

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month. Gastroparesis affects around 5 million individuals in the U.S. and can drastically impact a person’s everyday life. It can impact relationships, work, social interactions and more. Many people with migraine also experience Gastroparesis during and in between migraine attacks which can even impact the effectiveness of oral acute medication due to slow absorption. There's no one size fits all approach to treating migraine and patients deserve access to the medications that work best for their individual circumstances.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officially recognized traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a chronic health condition. It is estimated that around 5 million Americans live with a brain injury related disability and brain injuries are a leading cause of secondary headache disorders. This recognition is an important step towards expanding coverage for brain injury care and assuring that those with brain injury have the proper support and resources they need. The AHDA is pleased to see this recognition for TBI. We will continue to advocate for those living with headache disorders related to brain injury.

Lex is one of our Legal Policy interns this Summer! Lex is entering her 2L year at Rutgers Law School in Camden and is expected to graduate in May 2026. Some of her hobbies include spending time outside, crocheting, and reading. This summer, Lex has been learning a lot about health insurance policies and drafting memos and letters. She enjoys the ability to learn about policy in this area while also having the opportunity to advocate and make a difference! She also looks forward to participating in Headache on the Hill!

New Event Alert: Join us on August 15th at 1PM EST for "From Patient to Researcher: Enhancing Advocacy with Pro-Level Research & Messaging Skills." Advocating for yourself and others can be daunting, but this Lunch & Learn webinar aims to empower everyday patients and providers with the skills to conduct research like a pro and craft clear, compelling messages. Conducting research isn't as scary as you might think! In this session, renowned researcher Dawn Buse, PhD, and Susan Doughty, Executive Director of the Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients, will guide you through finding the right language to describe issues, making your message more impactful. Learn how to leverage statistics—or the absence of them—to strengthen your advocacy efforts. Register today via https://lnkd.in/e_XRnVq5

An excellent opportunity for a research proposal involving children living with headache disorders!