Who gets MS? How many people have MS?
Most people with MS experience their first symptoms and are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. Previously, MS in younger children was extremely rare. Referred to as “Pediatric MS,” the diagnosis of MS at a young age is on the rise. Researchers do not know if this is an indication of people developing MS at an earlier age, or if this is a result of greater disease awareness and more sensitive diagnostic procedures. Women are two to three times more likely to develop MS versus men. Caucasians, especially those of European or Scandinavian ancestry, are at a much greater risk of MS than those of African heritage. Individuals growing up in regions closer to the equator have a lower incidence of MS. The rate of MS increases as distance from the equator increases. This environmental factor may relate to diet, exposure to sunshine, and/or other lifestyle traits. Estimates of MS populations vary, and specific numbers are difficult to confirm through healthcare organizations.
