News and Events Headlines

9 October 2008

New Zealand Ranks Amongst World’s Lowest in Number of Neurologists Per Capita

A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) shows that despite having one of the highest prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis, New Zealand has fewer than 0.05 MS Neurologists per 100,000 people. This puts New Zealand in the same category as Central America or Africa. By comparison, Australia has between 0.11-0.3 MS Neurologists per 100,000 people which ranks them higher than the UK or the United States.

Without easy access to a Neurologist, people with MS may face delays in receiving their diagnosis, starting treatment and receiving regular care to help manage the disease. This can significantly impact their quality of life.

The Atlas of MS is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken exploring international data on a range of areas associated with Multiple Sclerosis, including prevalence, diagnosis, services and resources and quality of life implications.

Other findings from the Atlas of MS include:

• 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. The recent New Zealand prevalence study shows that overall there are 71.9 people per 100,000 with MS in this country.
• An estimated 1.3million people worldwide have MS. As many countries do not have comprehensive data, the actual figure is believed to be greater 
• The average age of onset in Europe is 30 years of age, when most people are starting families and careers 
• At least twice as many women as men have MS
  

The Atlas of MS is an interactive database, which allows the user to compare and contrast international data relating to Multiple Sclerosis. The project has been developed over the last two years and covers approximately 87% of the world’s population. The database can be accessed by clicking here. Alternatively, major findings from the Atlas can be downloaded in a .PDF format from this page.

World’s First National Study of Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence Released

This report released 1 September 2008 was jointly funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Health Research Council, New Zealand. It is the first to fully research the incidence of this neurological disease over an entire country.

The study reveals that the prevalence of the MS is significantly related to regions of the country, plus the percentage of cases as broken down by gender, race and other factors.

The research gathered during this study is a valuable tool to establish the resources required to support people with MS and their families and carers as well as being the foundation from which more clinical research can come.

A full copy of the press release with highlights from the study can be downloaded here:

Prevalence Study Press Release