A recent study published in Neurology highlights significant disparities in multiple sclerosis (MS) outcomes among young Black, Hispanic, and white women, particularly during pregnancy. Despite advancements in therapies that can slow MS progression, Black and Hispanic women face more severe disease and greater socioeconomic challenges compared to white women. Researchers analyzed medical records from 294 women across nine MS centers in the U.S., with roughly half identifying as white, one-quarter as Black, and the remainder as Hispanic.
Nearly 95% of participants had relapsing-onset MS, characterized by alternating flare-ups and recovery periods. Black and Hispanic women had an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 1.5, indicating symptoms in multiple functional systems, compared to 1.0 for white women. Minority women also had higher levels of inflammation before and after pregnancy, signaling faster disease progression. At conception, Black and Hispanic women were younger—averaging 31 and 30 years, respectively—than white women, who averaged 34 years.
Socioeconomic factors played a significant role in these disparities. Black and Hispanic women were more likely to live in under-resourced neighborhoods, be unemployed, and lack private health insurance. These challenges were compounded by pregnancy-related issues, such as lower rates of 14-week ultrasounds, higher emergency C-section rates among Black women, and higher instances of lower-birthweight babies among minorities. While all groups had similar breastfeeding rates, white mothers nursed longer, which may help prevent MS relapse.
The study emphasizes the importance of addressing racial and socioeconomic factors in MS care. While treatment access was similar across groups, lead researcher Dr. Riley Bove stressed the need to examine broader influences like systemic racism, access to specialized care, and disparities in health resources. These findings underscore the urgent need to consider race, ethnicity, and disability in MS management to close the gaps in outcomes.
