Fact 4. No Discrimination in its Grip: ALS Affects All
ALS is an equal-opportunity disease, with no regard for race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. It can strike anyone, anywhere, although some groups are at a slightly higher risk.
The disease most commonly affects people aged 40 to 70 years, with an average onset age of 55 years. However, cases of early onset, as young as in the 20s, and late onset, in the 80s, are not unheard of.
Statistics suggest that men are slightly more likely to develop ALS than women, although the reason for this is still unknown. This gender disparity lessens with age, with similar rates of ALS in men and women over the age of 70. A potential explanation for this could be hormonal differences, but further research is needed to confirm this.
In terms of ethnicity and race, studies have found higher rates of ALS among Caucasians and non-Hispanics. However, this does not imply a genetic predisposition but may be due to disparities in healthcare access and reporting.
While there is no surefire way to predict who will get ALS, understanding the demographics of those affected can help guide further research and health policy decisions. (4)
