The Atlas of MS is a powerful advocacy tool for change.
On this page you will find tips and ideas for using the Atlas of MS data and social media tools. You can use the data in the Atlas of MS in a number of ways to raise awareness, get noticed or to support your advocacy work and engagement with the government, policy makers, healthcare providers or other stakeholders.
We encourage you to explore the Atlas website and visualisation maps, charts, tables and country factsheets, and use this data together with the reports, recommendations and other tools to support evidence-based advocacy, strengthen the case for action and help improve the lives of people affected by MS.
Click on the view toolkit button above to download a variety of materials to help you use the data in your advocacy work and amplify the key messages:
- Atlas reports, slides, infographics and scientific papers
- Atlas logo (available in English, Spanish and Arabic)
- Social media infographics and email signatures (available in English, Spanish and Arabic)
Using the Atlas of MS as an advocacy tool
Organisations around the world have used epidemiological and healthcare data in different ways to influence policy, strengthen health systems and improve the lives of people affected by MS.
- Ireland: Benchmarking healthcare resources – MS Ireland used data from the Atlas of MS to demonstrate that Ireland had fewer neurologists than many comparable European countries. They used this evidence to help influence decision-makers and strengthen the case for increasing the number of healthcare professionals involved in neurological care. Advocacy lesson: International comparisons can help identify gaps and strengthen the case for investment in healthcare services.
- India: Strengthening national data systems – The Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) used the #NumbersMatter campaign and India MS Map initiative to highlight the lack of national MS data and demonstrate why better evidence is needed. The campaign helped stimulate discussions about the importance of data and made the case for stronger surveillance systems. The map and an accompanying petition contributed towards the creation of a national MS registry in 2022, which now includes data from both public and private hospitals. Advocacy lesson: Better data can increase visibility, strengthen the case for investment and support the development of national registries.
- United Kingdom: Planning healthcare services – The UK MS Society has used prevalence data to highlight the growing number of people living with MS and support advocacy for increased investment in neurology services, including neurologists and MS nurses. The data have also informed workforce and service planning. Advocacy lesson: Epidemiological data can support long term healthcare planning and investment.
- United States: Influencing policy and research – The National Multiple Sclerosis Society used updated prevalence estimates to demonstrate the true scale of MS in the United States. The evidence helped support increased research funding, improved national surveillance systems and more inclusive approaches to research and care. Advocacy lesson: Robust data can help influence policy, unlock funding and strengthen research infrastructure.
Practical ways to use Atlas data in advocacy
The Atlas of MS can help you identify gaps, benchmark your country against others and strengthen the evidence behind your advocacy priorities. Consider using the Atlas to:
- Compare your country’s epidemiology, healthcare resources and access to treatment with neighbouring countries or countries with similar income levels. Differences can help identify opportunities to improve diagnosis, care, treatment access and policy support for people with MS.
- Identify gaps in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, workforce capacity or access to care that could form the basis of advocacy campaigns.
- Demonstrate the need for improved data collection, surveillance systems or national MS registries.
- Support policy discussions with governments, healthcare providers and decision-makers using evidence-based comparisons.
- Strengthen funding applications, policy briefs, presentations and awareness-raising campaigns
Looking for more advocacy ideas?
Explore practical advocacy guidance, case studies and resources from MS organisations and healthcare professionals around the world:
- Learn from others – examples of how evidence has been used to improve access to treatment, care and support. Learn from others – MS International Federation
- How to get started in advocacy – practical guidance for planning and delivering advocacy activities. How to get started in advocacy – MS International Federation
- Get the evidence – resources to help identify and use data to support advocacy and policy engagement. Get the evidence – MS International Federation
- We hope these examples inspire you to use Atlas of MS data to raise awareness, influence decision-makers and drive change for people affected by MS
- Tell us how you have used or how you are planning to use the Atlas data to raise awareness or to drive change. Get in touch by emailing us at [email protected].
Your actions will help mobilise the movement, bring the world together to improve the quality of life of everybody affected by MS and to end MS forever.
