Housing Insecurity and Multiple Sclerosis: Findings from a Systematic Review
A systematic review examined housing insecurity among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Reports on MS patients facing homelessness or displacement were limited. Notably, homelessness rates in US veterans with MS were similar to those without MS. Refugees with MS reported unaffordability of care, and studies indicated increased relapse and MRI activity during armed conflicts.
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- #MSResearch
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Why it matters
Understanding the housing challenges faced by MS patients is critical to inform humanitarian approaches to their care, particularly in conflict zones or refugee settings.
What this does not prove
The review highlights limited global geographic representation and calls for more robust data on housing insecurity risks affecting MS patients.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Systematic review
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-08
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceMultiple sclerosis and housing insecurity or forcible displacement: A scoping review. ↗DOI: 10.1177/13524585261492505
Supporting passages (8)
study designWe perform a scoping review, searching PubMed (1 January 1990-30 June 2026) for the key terms "housing insecurity," "inadequate housing," "houselessness," "homelessness," "housing," "forcible displacement," "refugee," "asylum seeker," and "internal displacement," focusing on the outcomes of persons with multiple sclerosis.
subjectsThe number of reports from persons with multiple sclerosis who experience housing insecurity, homelessness, or forcible displacement remains very limited compared to the high number of estimated persons with multiple sclerosis living in these circumstances.
findingsAmong US veterans, homelessness was not significantly more common among those with multiple sclerosis than matched veterans without multiple sclerosis.
findingsRefugees with multiple sclerosis experience inaffordability of care.
findingsA larger, but distinct, literature examining exposure to armed conflict (war) finds increased relapse and magnetic resonance imaging disease activity in subsets of persons with multiple sclerosis during conflict as well as disruptions in access to multiple sclerosis care and treatment.
limitationsGlobal geographic representation of these reports is limited.
limitationsMore data are needed to understand the defined risks to persons with multiple sclerosis as well as inform and monitor a durable humanitarian approach to their care.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-08
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