Key takeaways:

• Approximately one in six university students has migraine.
• Migraine can affect ability to focus and attend classes.
• Student suggestions included awareness campaigns, support groups and sensory-friendly rooms.

College students experiencing migraine face a variety of challenges, including lack of understanding, inconsistent implementation of accommodations and unmet academic needs, according to survey results published in Headache.

The survey was launched to add more qualitative data to existing quantitative data on the social and academic impacts of migraine among college students, according to Mia T. Minen, MD, MPH, a neurologist with NYU Langone Health, and colleagues.

Data derived from Minen MT, et al. Headache. 2026:doi:10.1111/head.70103

“There are so many changes in students’ lives when they go off to college, from changing sleep schedules, stress, eating habits, et cetera, all of which alone or in combination can trigger migraine,” Minen told Healio.

“We believed that if we could target people early on in their formative years, we may be able to help them better understand their migraine attacks, obtain evidence-based treatments and have less migraine related disability and succeed in college,” she said.

Approximately one out of six university students has migraine, Minen and colleagues wrote, citing previous studies.

Data from the qualitative study were gathered through five virtual semi-structured focus groups that included 50 students (mean age, 20 years; 80% female; 32% non-white) from 41 U.S. colleges of varying sizes. Focus groups took place in May, June and July 2025.

Across all groups, 62% of participants identified as having severe headache or migraine, whereas 64% said they know someone with severe headache or migraine.

Participants were asked about their experiences, migraine-related challenges, perceptions of migraine on their campuses, accommodations and migraine care. They were also asked what changes could be made on their campuses to better mitigate migraine challenges.

The study identified the following themes that emerged from the focus groups:

• migraine is misunderstood and not discussed;
• the impacts of migraine are significant and can make it difficult for students to maintain focus, attend class, preserve social relationships and participate in extracurricular activities;
• accommodations are most commonly academic, related specifically to attendance and exams, and are not always honored by professors; and
• access to migraine care is challenging and students often seek external providers for care when student health centers prove unhelpful or inconvenient.

Results highlighted a need for changes to both campus culture and structural processes, authors wrote.

Participant recommendations focused on increasing awareness and reducing stigma about migraines among students, health center staff and professors, which could be done by hanging posters, sending emails and hosting events. Migraine support groups could serve as a vehicle for students to share tips, reduce isolation and normalize migraine experiences, authors wrote.

Other suggestions included creating sensory-friendly quiet rooms throughout campuses and allowing students with sensory sensitivity to wear hats or sunglasses indoors.

“Faculty need to learn that migraine is much more than just a headache,” Minen said. “It’s a neurologic disease that can cause so many other symptoms including light and sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and also cognitive complaints.” 

Outside of colleges, authors wrote that it may be beneficial for pediatricians to implement “migraine action plans” for patients they know are getting ready for college and leaving home for the first time. The plan would include preventive strategies, how to handle migraines on campus, medications to avoid, and when to contact a provider or seek emergent care.

Minen said she and her colleagues have also been speaking with student health centers and at regional meetings of student health providers to educate them on migraine diagnosis and treatment as well as how to help students.

The target audience for such education programs includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, OB/GYNs and mental health and wellness professionals, Minen said.

For more information

Mia T. Minen, MD, MPH can be reached at neurology@healio.com.