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“The Atlas is about making people aware of MS and the needs of people with MS. People with MS have complex needs and at the moment these are not being adequately met anywhere in the world.” Prof. Alan Thompson, Institute of Neurology, UK.
The Atlas of MS is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of the occurrence of multiple sclerosis (MS) around the world and the availability of resources to provide services and support to people with MS.
The Atlas is the result of three years of research coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and MSIF. More than 100 countries participated in the study, replacing impressions and opinions with facts and figures. Topics covered by the Atlas include:
Epidemiology – prevalence, incidence and total numbers
Epidemiology – average age of onset and male/female ratio
MS organisations
Diagnosis
Information
Support and services
Drugs and treatment
Human resources
Disability entitlements, legislation and social insurance
Major issues
What does the Atlas tell us?
“Saudi Arabia is a country where MS cases were supposed to be rare. Social awareness of the disease is very limited and remains unknown to most and mysterious.” Amal Abdul Rahman, Saudi Arabia.
The Atlas of MS shows:
No country that responded to the survey was free of MS
Globally, at any point in time, around 30 people in 100,000 have been diagnosed with MS
There is an increased prevalence, and higher risk of MS, further north and south of the equator
The total number of people diagnosed with MS is currently estimated at 1.3 million. Given that some countries do not record data the actual number is believed to be much higher.
MS symptoms mostly start between 25 and 31 years of age
At least twice as many women as men have MS
Global prevalence of MS
What do MSIF hope to achieve with the Atlas “If governments act on the recommendations in the Atlas of MS they have it in their power to significantly improve the quality of life of people affected by MS.” Peer Baneke, CEO, MSIF
The study highlights considerable discrepancies between countries in the availability of information and support to people affected by MS and the accessibility of educated and informed health professionals, diagnostic equipment, such as MRI scanners, and treatment and therapy to alleviate symptoms and modify the course of the disease. Data in the Atlas of MS will better inform policy makers, health professionals and patient groups.
Among the many recommendations contained in the Atlas of MS is a call to governments to:
Enact policies to alleviate the “information deficit” about MS amongst the general public, employers and health care professionals;
Invest more in diagnostic equipment, rehabilitation services and global research; and
Strengthen support structures and access to employment for people with MS.
Atlas of MS Database To facilitate access to the data contained in the study and encourage further research and data collection MSIF has developed the online Atlas of MS Database. MSIF hope to use the database as a tool to stimulate, support and inform initiatives to develop public policy, service provision and support.
Click here for the Atlas of MS database website and view statistics from individual countries and make comparisons between countries and regions.
Atlas of MS press page “MS is an issue that affects my family personally.” US President-elect Barack Obama.
Go to our press section for our: - video news release featuring President-elect Barack Obama and Prof. Alan Thompson, Institute of Neurology, UK - press release - global case studies of people with MS - frequently asked questions to MS
Atlas of MS launch news page
Go to our launch news page to: - hear an interview on BBC World Service Radio with MSIF CEO Peer Baneke and people with MS from Indonesia and Namibia - read about the launch of the report in Canada
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