The Hidden Face of MS

Imagine spending years feeling isolated and alone as you navigate a long winding road to diagnosis, searching for answers.  You finally hear the words “multiple sclerosis” (MS) and although shocking, you feel some sense of relief to have an answer. But as you search for stories of others who have walked this same path, the faces staring back at you are nothing like your own. Once again, you feel isolated and alone, this time with the shame of feeling different.

Future lawyer and chronic illness advocate, Lauren Work is on a mission to change the narrative of MS and improve health outcomes for underrepresented women. Since her diagnosis, she has become a leader within the MS community, dedicating herself to changing perceptions of the disease and empowering other women of color to navigate life with MS.

Companies, like Biogen, are in a position to drive change. And part of that change is recognizing the historical context of patient mistrust in minority communities and staying committed to understanding the communities we serve. In order to truly be allies for patients, it is up to companies to speak up and create sustainable change.

In addition to Health Equity being one of the company’s core pillars, Biogen has several large-scale programs well underway that prioritize diversity and inclusion, such as working to remove barriers in clinical trial participation and using real-world data to better manage MS among all types of patients.