Multiple Sclerosis in Zambia

Certain diseases tend to be more common in particular communities or regions of the world. Outliers exist, but what if the outlier is all of Sub-Saharan Africa? Zambians with multiple sclerosis, or MS, have struggled to find answers to their years of unexplained symptoms, because the disease is thought to be nearly nonexistent in their community. Local medical providers seldom consider the diagnosis of MS among Black Africans. Years without a correct diagnosis lead to years without treatment, and patients become increasingly disabled. But the growing presence of neurologists in the region is starting to challenge that long-held notion.

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