Guest Blog written by Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand
World MS Day is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS). Each year, the MS movement comes together to educate the public about MS and its impact on the lives of more than 2.8 million people worldwide.
The theme for 2025 continues with the 2024 theme ‘My MS Diagnosis’. This campaign advocates for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS. It highlights the ongoing barriers to diagnosing MS, sharing real stories and data to raise awareness. We are calling for better MS training for healthcare professionals, greater research, and clinical advancements in MS diagnosis. Together, we are building informed, supportive communities and systems that empower those diagnosed with MS to live their fullest lives.
Every five minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. MSIF’s powerful animation explores the challenges people face while navigating an MS diagnosis. It underscores why the right diagnosis matters so much and how crucial it is to get it early. This animation features the real voices of people living with MS across the globe, including Jonathan, Rayan, Leonardo, Kanya, and Jessica, who share their personal diagnosis stories.
Did you know?
Early diagnosis vital
An early diagnosis is vital to enable early treatment with disease modifying therapies that can minimise relapses and reduce future disability. Diagnosis also allows for lifestyle changes to help manage MS and improve quality of life.
Every 5mins
Every 5 minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS.
30k children
MS affects children as well as adults, with at least 30,000 people under 18 living with MS.
2.8m people
There are more than 2.8 million people living with MS around the world.
Twice as many females
There are at least twice as many females (69%) with MS as there are males (31%).
83% of countries
83% of countries worldwide experience issues that prevent an early diagnosis of MS.
No simple test
Neurologists typically use multiple tests to rule out alternative causes of symptoms before giving an MS diagnosis.
Barriers to an early MS diagnosis
The majority (83%) of countries worldwide have barriers that prevent early diagnosis of MS.
Some of the common barriers that stand in the way of diagnosis include:
- Lack of public awareness of MS symptoms
- Lack of awareness of MS symptoms among healthcare professionals
- No healthcare professionals available with knowledge to diagnose MS
- People not taking diagnostic tests e.g. due to costs or travel limitations
- Specialist medical equipment or diagnostic tests are not available
- Bureaucracy, inefficiency, complexity in the health system
- Diagnosis is too expensive for a government or insurance provider to fund
Globally the most common barrier to getting an early diagnosis is a lack of awareness of MS symptoms among the public and healthcare professionals.
To learn more about the barriers to accessing an early MS diagnosis read the Atlas of MS Clinical Management Report.
We are privileged to re-share with you some of our MS communities personal diagnosis stories. We spoke with Nikki, Rachel and Zazi about their journey to diagnosis and what obstacles stood in their way to receiving a timely diagnosis. Michael shares with us his diagnosis story, highlighting that it is not always doom and gloom and sometimes gaining a timely diagnosis can be achieved. Read their stories below:
Sharing YOUR diagnosis story with our MS Community can have a profound impact. Your story could offer hope, support, and understanding to others who are navigating similar experiences. It creates connections, fosters empathy, and strengthens our collective voice in advocating for better care, research, and resources. By sharing your journey, you contribute to breaking down the stigma surrounding MS, encouraging others to seek help, and inspiring the change we need to make the MS diagnosis process more accessible and timely for everyone.
We invite you to share your personal story and become a part of this global movement. Together, we can build a more informed, compassionate, and supportive community for all those living with MS. Email info@msnz.org.nz or call 03 366 2581 / 0800 675 463.
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Allied Medical is proud to be involved with World MS Day, which is officially marked on May 30th each year.
If you’ve used any of our Allied Medical products, we’d love to hear about your experience – share your story with us here.