AAN 2022 | Research and healthcare disparities in multiple sclerosis

Victor Rivera, MD, FAAN, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, discusses research and healthcare disparities in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related disorders. MS has become very prevalent both in the US and globally – with an estimation of over 2.5 million individuals having the condition outside of the US and approximately 1 million who have it within the US. There are incomplete studies concerning the prevalence of MS in Latin America – however, it is estimated that there are 100,000 individuals who are afflicted by it. This contradicts original beliefs that MS exclusively affects Caucasians; over many centuries, genetic dissemination has resulted in the associated risk factors from European populations being expressed in the Latin American populations. Due to the diversity of the US, numbers of distinct minority groups have risen – leading to socioeconomic disparities across the entire population. Unfortunately, this has also led to disparities in access to healthcare – proving detrimental to minority populations who need treatment. This interview took place during the American Academy of Neurology 2022 Congress in Seattle, WA.