Multiple Sclerosis Mortality Study Shows Racial Differences in Age at Death
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Black people with MS had peak MS-related mortality at ages 65 to 74 years, compared with ages 75 to 84 years among white people.
- MS-related mortality rates were highest among Black female individuals and white female individuals.
- Deaths involving both MS and high blood pressure increased from 2019 to 2023, highlighting the need for cardiovascular risk management.
Black people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may die from MS at younger ages than white people with MS, according to a study published in Neurology Open Access. Investigators also reported an increase in MS-related deaths that included high blood pressure as a contributing factor.
Researchers analyzed US mortality data from 2012 to 2023, including death certificates that listed MS as a cause of death. The overall MS-related mortality rate was 1.10 per 100,000 people, with higher rates among female individuals than male individuals.
Mortality Findings
- The MS-related mortality rate was 1.34 per 100,000 among female individuals and 0.82 per 100,000 among male individuals.
- Among Black individuals, mortality rates were 1.56 per 100,000 for females and 0.97 per 100,000 for males.
- Among white individuals, mortality rates were 1.54 per 100,000 for females and 0.92 per 100,000 for males.
- Among Hispanic individuals, rates were lower, at 0.38 per 100,000 for females and 0.26 per 100,000 for males.
- The highest mortality rate occurred at ages 65 to 74 years among Black people and ages 75 to 84 years among white people.
The authors noted that the reasons for these disparities remain unclear and may involve disease progression, health care access, lifestyle factors, and comorbid conditions. They emphasized a need for earlier screening, better access to primary care, and improved blood pressure control, especially for higher-risk groups.
According to the published article, one limitation in the study derives from its reliance on death certificates, which may not consistently capture MS as a cause of death.
Source
American Academy of Neurology. Black people die from MS at younger ages than white people. News release. July 22, 2026. Press Releases. https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5353
Amezcua L, Kim CW, Lobo JM, et al. Racial and ethnic trends and comorbidity patterns in multiple sclerosis mortality: a CDC WONDER analysis. Neurol Open Access. 2026;2(3):e00148. doi:10.1212/WN9.0000000000000148