Western Pacific
Opportunities exist in China and perhaps South Korea.
China is a priority country (a) because of its size and (b) because headache prevalence has, historically, been significantly underestimated there (erroneously reducing the estimate of global burden).
A nationwide epidemiological study has been completed in China. It supports these arguments to be put to politicians: a) headache disorders are common and burdensome in China; b) the current health-care system receives many people with headache who are not well cared for; c) ill-trained doctors investigate unnecessarily and over-prescribe; d) productivity losses are very high, so headache should be included in the work-health system.
A demonstrational intervention project is needed, integrating headache services within the ongoing health-care reform, with provision mainly in primary care. The International Headache Society has supported the opening of 30 headache centres throughout China, based in secondary care. These can potentially provide levels 2-3 support in the service organization and delivery model.