Episode 346: Why Members of Minority Communities May Face A More Severe MS Disease Course with Dr. Annette Langer-Gould

In past episodes of this podcast, we've discussed disparities in healthcare. We've looked at evidence that shows members of historically underserved communities who are living with MS can face a more severe disease course. We've looked at studies that have shown some members of these racial and ethnic minority groups don't do as well on disease-modifying therapies, and their MS progresses more quickly. It's often been speculated that the reason behind these disparities is based on genetics -- that members of minority communities who are living with MS are genetically predisposed to experiencing a more severe disease course.  My guest in this episode is Dr. Annette Langer-Gould, and Dr. Langer-Gould comes armed with evidence that points to a completely different set of answers for the cause of racial and ethnic disparities in MS disease severity and progression. We're also sharing registration details for the National MS Society's MS Activist Rally on April 25th! We'll tell you about an inverse vaccine that prevents the mouse model of MS (and we'll explain what an inverse vaccine is!) You'll find out where you can find the just-released video progress report from the International Progressive MS Alliance. We'll explain just-published results from an analysis that shows why anti-diabetic and weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Jardiance, and Trulicity may be repurposed as MS therapies. And we're sharing study results with both good news and not so great news when it comes to being diagnosed and treated for MS in a timely manner. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: We're exploring the reason that members of underserved minority populations who are living with MS often experience a more severe disease course  :22 The MS Activist Rally is happening on 4/25!  1:28 An inverse vaccine prevents the mouse model of MS  3:49 The International Progressive MS Alliance has released their 2024 progress report  6:13 Can weight-loss drugs be repurposed as MS therapies?  7:33 A study shows that getting diagnosed and treated for MS is dependent upon your country's healthcare system  10:26 Dr. Annette Langer-Gould has a sobering answer as to why some members of minority communities who are living with MS experience a more severe disease course  14:48 Share this episode  31:31 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  31:51 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/346 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: jon@realtalkms.com Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com REGISTER for the MS Activist Rally https://events.zoom.us/ev/Ame2jWSuHmriG94cyQmlWHr45mgnzxkDv8oMZRGsrS3ZxiSj5rro~Anqb3dHg3ewiz4KNHn2Ena4bgli_WXlza_zcygZN3GinnleB6rO15OCzGQ VIDEO: International Progressive MS Alliance 2024 Progress Report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ojRaLp_J1w STUDY: Exploring the Association Between Weight Loss-Inducing Medications and Multiple Sclerosis: Insights from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System Database https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17562864241241383 STUDY: Disease-Modifying Therapy Initiation Patterns in Multiple Sclerosis in Three Large Populations https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17562864241233044 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 346 Guest: Dr. Annette Langer-Gould Privacy Policy