Episode 286: Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into the MS Movement with Neisha Fredericks

Two years ago, the National MS Society made a public commitment to do more to ensure that the MS movement was open to and reflective of everyone affected by MS. When you stop to consider issues like access to healthcare or MS clinical research, it quickly becomes apparent that diversity, equity, and inclusion aren't only organizational goals for the MS Society. They also address some of the systemic barriers that directly impact the quality of MS care for members of historically marginalized communities who are living with MS.  Joining me in exploring how the MS Society is embedding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of the MS movement is the National MS Society's Vice-President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Neisha Fredericks. We're also sharing the details of research conducted at the University of Virginia that identified a specific contributor to the autoimmune response and neuroinflammation that characterize MS. And we'll give you an up-close and personal illustration of how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact MS research and treatment. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into the MS movement  :22 Researchers identify a neuroinflammation "regulator" lurking in the gut microbiome  1:28 Artificial intelligence will have an impact on virtually every aspect of MS research and care  4:45 Neisha Fredericks, the National MS Society's Vice-President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, discusses the work that's taken place and the work still to be done to ensure that the MS movement is open to and reflective of everyone affected by MS    9:38 Share this episode  32:13 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  32:34 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/286 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com STUDY:  The Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in T Cells Tunes the Gut Microenvironment to Sustain Autoimmunity and Neuroinflammation https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002000 ChatGPT https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 286 Guest: Neisha Fredericks Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy