The Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation (MSIF) is the world’s only global network of MS organisations.
The MS International Federation is a unique global network of MS organisations, people affected by MS, volunteers and staff from around the world. Our movement is made up of 49 MS organisations with links to many others. MSNZ is a member of MSIF and the global movement.
MSIFs vision is a world without MS
MSIFs mission is to inspire, mobilise and bring the world together to improve the quality of life of everybody affected by MS and to end MS forever
Why an international Federation?
MSIFs Atlas of MS shows that around 2.3 million people worldwide are living with MS. Many of these people have little access to support.
For people with MS and their families, support and information are vital, as is the knowledge that scientists around the world are collaborating to develop better treatments for MS and eventually stop MS. MSIF are helping to make this happen around the world – both directly and through the member organisations.
What does MSIF do?
MSIF brings together the work of MS organisations to help people affected by MS around the world. They:
In 2017, the 50th anniversary of the MSIF movement, MSIF launched a new five year strategy. Within this new strategy, they are working towards five strategic aims:
- Better scientific understanding leading to new ways to treat, prevent and stop MS
- Improved access to effective treatments and health care
- Access to accurate and trustworthy information and resources to make informed decisions to live well with MS
- Positive changes in policies and practices. attitudes and behaviours that are obstacles to living well with MS
- A stronger, broader MSIF movement made up of effective MS organisations, engaged individuals and strategic international collaborations
MSIFs values
- People affected by MS are at the heart of everything
- international collaboration changes lives
- Test, learn and adapt to continuously improve the impact
MSIF Atlas of MS 2013
The Atlas of MS provides a snapshot of MS around the world today.
What does the Atlas cover?
The epidemiology of MS, resources available to diagnose and treat the disease, and the support available to people with MS in 124 countries around the world.
The main aims of the Atlas are to:
- Stimulate additional systematic data gathering, particularly data on the epidemiology of MS
- Highlight gaps in resources and services
- Encourage the development of much-needed policy, services and training
What are its main findings?
The Atlas of MS 2013 shows:
- The estimated number of people with MS in the world has increased to 2.3 million (up 9.5% from the 2008 survey).
- Women are twice as likely to have MS as men, although in some countries women are three times as likely to have MS.
- Up to 5% of people with MS develop it before the age of 18, and the new Atlas of MS provides data on the prevalence of MS in children.
- The number of neurologists worldwide has increased by 30% and the provision of MRI machines, which are key to early diagnosis and treatment of MS, has doubled in the past 5 years in emerging countries.
- Disease-modifying therapies for MS are partly or fully funded by governments in 96% of high income countries, but funding drops to zero in low income countries.
For further information:
The Atlas of MS 2013 report and user guide
Atlas of MS FAQS
Search data
MSIF
Sources:
The Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation