To examine treatment patterns, medication adherence, and associated insurance barriers in a large cohort of African American women living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Understanding these factors is critical for optimizing treatment strategies and addressing disparities in MS care.

We analyzed data from the We Are ILL Membership Survey 2024, a community-based survey of African Americanwomen with MS. The survey collected detailed information on current MS therapies, adherence behaviors, and issues related to medication access and insurance coverage. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize treatment patterns and logistic regression to assess the association of insurance status and medication adherence.

The most common MS therapies used in this cohort were Ocrevus (42.05%), Tysabri (12.3%), and Kesimpta (12.31%). However, 21.9% of respondents reported skipping or stopping medication for 30 days or more due to lack of insurance coverage. Reportedly, 16.66     % of respondents reported that cost causes them to skip or stop taking their medication. The biggest reported challenge was managing chronic and disability symptoms.

Treatment patterns in African American women living with MS reflect the range of available therapies, but access barriers related to cost and insurance coverage significantly affect medication adherence. Strategies to address these barriers, such as improved insurance coverage, financial assistance programs, and enhanced patient education, are needed to improve treatment outcomes and reduce disparities in this population.