More than 50% of people all over the world experienced a headache disorder in the past year, according to new research published in the Journal of Headache and Pain. The disorders—which include migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and headaches related to things like exercise or sinusitis—affect 52% of people, the study found. Each day, an estimated 15.8% of the world’s population has a headaches, the researchers said.
The study, which was based on a search of more than 350 scientific publications, noted differences in headache disorders by criteria such as gender and geographic area. Women reported more headache and migraines than men, with rates of 57.8% versus 44.4% and 17% versus 8.6%, respectively. More headaches were also reported in high-income countries than in low-income countries. According to the researchers, many published studies on headache disorders “were deficient in their reporting” despite continuing efforts to standardize methodologies.