Updated Atlas of MS Shows Over 2.8 Million People Worldwide Have Multiple Sclerosis — with Nearly 1 Million in the US

There are now 2.8 million people worldwide who have multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the most extensive global study to date. That means every 5 minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. Nearly 1 million of them are living in the United States. The newly updated Atlas of MS, an effort led by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation with funding from the National MS Society and others, reveals that the number of people living with MS has increased in every world region since 2013. Experts from 115 countries completed the epidemiology survey, representing 87% of the world’s population. Although better counting methods, more accurate diagnosis rates and population growth are just some of the factors behind the rise, an increased risk of developing MS cannot be ruled out.                                                                                                    There remain big gaps in the global footprint of MS. In the U.S., the National MS Society’s Prevalence Initiative team is continuing its work by analyzing data that will help determine who gets MS, including age, race, and geographic information. In addition, the Society is working with the Center for Disease Control on the launch of the National Neurological Conditions Surveillance System. Beyond a basic prevalence count, this system could provide additional information to help researchers refine and target research questions, including:

• Geographic clusters, which may provide clues to the cause of MS and other disorders;
• Demographic and genetic information (age, sex, race); and
• Health care practices, utilization, and disparities.