Language
English
Publication Date
12-22-2025
Journal
Neurology International
DOI
10.3390/neurolint18010002
PMID
41591076
PMCID
PMC12844340
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
12-22-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects approximately 2.9 million people in the world, exerting a significant economic and societal burden. The disease is increasingly identified among populations considered as uncommonly affected. MS is reported in all regions of the World Health Organization (WHO) member states in Africa, the Americas, South-East Asia, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific, affecting all ethnicities while exhibiting substantially variable prevalences. Countries with high MS prevalence and some with moderate frequencies generally have economically better structured healthcare systems. Nevertheless, health disparities in these countries are accentuated by suboptimal accessibility of care for their minorities, immigrants and other underserved populations. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) might have an impact on morbidity and higher rates of disability. Large segments of the world population (i.e., African, Latin American, people from the Middle East and Southeast Asia) do not have access to adequate MS diagnostic procedures, compounded by reduced availability of neurologists. Healthcare disparities exist practically in every country of the world. Active wars and a large number of refugees resulting from conflict augments the challenges to healthcare systems. These global factors constitute obstacles to the adequate management of MS. A collective international path is required to facilitate access to highly effective, albeit onerous treatments, some already approved and being utilized, i.e., monoclonal antibodies and B-lymphocyte depletory agents, and others foreseen in the future as advanced therapeutic molecules continue to develop.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, genetics, healthcare disparities, social determinants of health, prevalence, disease modifying therapies, access to therapy
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Victor M Rivera, "Multiple Sclerosis: An Ethnically Diverse Disease with Worldwide Equity Challenges Accessing Care" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7228.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7228