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2 This publication is a service of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation a national nonprofit organization. The purpose of this publication is to educate and inform not to provide medical advice. Multiple Sclerosis Foundation National Headquarters 6520 N. Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale FL 33309 888-MSFocus 888-673-6287 supportmsfocus.org EVERY HOUR EVERY DAY Statistics indicate that more than 200 people are diagnosed with MS each week approximately one person every hour of the day.Yet unless you or someone you love is personally affected you may know little about it or hold common misconceptions about the illness. Who are the approximately 400000 Americans living with this illness How are they affected What is your risk for MS What can you do to help Read to learn the facts about MS that you need to know. There are estimated to be 350000 to 500000 people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with MS and more than 2.5 million people living with the disease worldwide. However these numbers are only estimates because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not require U.S. physicians to report new cases of MS and the symptoms of the disease can go unrecognized for some time. QUICK FACTS WHO DOES MS AFFECT MS is more common in women appears more frequently in Caucasians than in Hispanics or African Americans and is relatively rare among Asians and certain other ethnic groups. MS is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50 although it can develop in young children and teens as well as older adults.