15–21 March 2026 | International Headache Week
Cluster headache is one of the most severe headache disorders, yet it remains widely misunderstood and often under-recognised. This March, the European Migraine & Headache Alliance (EMHA) is joining organisations across Europe and beyond to raise awareness and amplify the voices calling for better understanding, faster diagnosis and improved care for people living with cluster headache.
From 15 to 21 March 2026, EMHA is partnering with organisations including the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the Association of Migraine Disorders (AMD) to mark International Headache Week, culminating in Cluster Headache Awareness Day, a global initiative led by Lifting The Burden (LTB).
Understanding cluster headache
Cluster headache is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent attacks of extremely severe pain, typically affecting one side of the head and often occurring around the eye. Attacks can occur in clusters over periods of time, with individuals experiencing multiple attacks per day.
Despite its severity and impact, cluster headache remains poorly understood by the wider public. The condition can significantly affect people’s daily lives, relationships, work and overall wellbeing.
Raising awareness is therefore an important step towards ensuring that people experiencing symptoms receive appropriate support and access to specialist care.
Joining forces for International Headache Week
International Headache Week brings together organisations working across the headache field to strengthen awareness and share important messages about headache disorders.
At EMHA, we believe that collaboration is essential to addressing the challenges faced by people living with headache disorders. By joining forces with patient organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers and other stakeholders, we can help bring greater visibility to conditions that too often remain misunderstood.
Cluster Headache Awareness Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on cluster headache specifically and to highlight the need for earlier recognition, accurate diagnosis and better access to appropriate care.
Taking part in #FaceBump
As part of our awareness efforts, EMHA will also support the Austrian Cluster Headache Association’s awareness campaign, #FaceBump, taking place on 29 March 2026.
Austrian Cluster Headache Association
The campaign aims to bring greater visibility to cluster headache, challenge misconceptions and encourage greater public understanding of the condition.
Through initiatives such as #FaceBump, people living with cluster headache and the organisations supporting them can help make an often invisible condition more visible.
From awareness to action
Awareness is an important starting point, but it must translate into action.
People living with cluster headache deserve timely recognition of their symptoms, accurate diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment and specialist care. Improving understanding among the public and healthcare professionals can help reduce delays in diagnosis and ensure that people receive the support they need.
This International Headache Week, EMHA is proud to stand alongside organisations around the world in raising awareness of cluster headache and amplifying the messages that matter.
Together, we can help move headache disorders out of the shadows and towards better recognition, understanding and care.
