The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) was established in 1967 as an international body linking the activities of various national MS societies. The federation seeks to partner with member societies and the international

scientific community The scientific community is a diverse network of interacting scientists. It includes many "working group, sub-communities" working on particular scientific fields, and within particular institutions; interdisciplinary and cross-institutional acti ...

to eliminate multiple sclerosis and its consequences, and to advocate for those affected by

multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease resulting in damage to myelinthe insulating covers of nerve cellsin the brain and spinal cord. As a demyelinating disease, MS disrupts the nervous system's ability to Action potential, transmit ...

. MSIF has the following key priorities: * International

research Research is creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge. It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to ...

* Development of new and existing societies * Exchange of information *

Advocacy Advocacy is an Action (philosophy), activity by an individual or advocacy group, group that aims to influence decision making, decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. Advocacy includes activities and publications to infl ...

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History

Since its establishment in 1967, MSIF has grown to link the work of 48 member MS societies worldwide. MSIF is in touch with many other emerging societies, and aims to support all MS societies in their development. MSIF has a budget of around £2 million per year, with most funding coming from member societies,

charitable foundation A foundation (also referred to as a charitable foundation) is a type of nonprofit organization or charitable trust that usually provides funding and support to other charitable organizations through grants, while also potentially participating d ...

s and fundraising campaigns. Around a quarter of its income comes from the

health care industry The healthcare industry (also called the medical industry or health economy) is an aggregation and integration of sectors within the economic system that provides goods and services to treat patients with curative, preventive, rehabilitative, ...

. In cooperation with the

World Health Organization The World Health Organization (WHO) is a list of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations which coordinates responses to international public health issues and emergencies. It is headquartered in Gen ...

, MSIF has published the most extensive source of global

data Data ( , ) are a collection of discrete or continuous values that convey information, describing the quantity, quality, fact, statistics, other basic units of meaning, or simply sequences of symbols that may be further interpreted for ...

about the

epidemiology Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution (who, when, and where), patterns and Risk factor (epidemiology), determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population, and application of this knowledge to prevent dise ...

of MS, the ''Atlas of MS''. The most recent edition of the Atlas of MS was published in 2020, and shows that there are 2.8 million people living with MS globally. MSIF supports the ''International Pediatric MS Study Group'' (IPMSSG) - a group of

medical professional A health professional, healthcare professional (HCP), or healthcare worker (sometimes abbreviated as HCW) is a provider of health care treatment and advice based on formal training and experience. The field includes those who work as a Nursing, nur ...

s from all continents working to improve the treatment of children with MS, and to undertake international research into childhood MS. In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MSIF gathered MS research experts and clinicians from around the world to produce global COVID-19 advice for people with MS. This has been updated at various intervals throughout the pandemic as new evidence has emerged. MSIF collaborated with the MS Data Alliance to establish the COVID-19 and MS Global Data Sharing Initiative. This collected data on how the coronavirus impacted people with MS and the results informed the global COVID-19 advice for people with MS.

World Multiple Sclerosis Day

Since May 2009, MSIF has organized
World Multiple Sclerosis Day
which is now supported by MS organizations and individuals in around 100 countries. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of MS as a global issue and make changes in the lives of people with MS. It is "A day to celebrate global solidarity and hope for the future" World MS Day is officially marked on 30 May every year, though events and campaigns take place throughout the month of May. The theme for World MS Day 2020-2022 is 'MS Connections'. The campaign focuses on building community connection, self-connection and connections to quality care. The campaign tagline is ‘I Connect, We Connect’ and the campaign hashtag is #MSConnections.MS Connections challenges social barriers that leave people affected by MS feeling lonely and socially isolated. It is an opportunity to advocate for better services, celebrate support networks and champion self-care.

References

External links

MSIF Website
{{Authority control Federations International medical and health organizations International organisations based in London Multiple sclerosis organizations Organisations based in the London Borough of Southwark Organizations established in 1967