Subtitle: ALS Rates by Country
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating condition that can cause paralysis and, in many cases, death. While ALS is a rare condition, affecting only 2-5 out of every 100,000 people, there are certain countries that have higher rates of ALS.
United States: The United States has the highest rate of ALS in the world with 5.2 cases per 100,000 people. The rate of ALS has been increasing steadily since the 1960s, and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans are living with the disease.
Japan: Japan has the second-highest rate of ALS in the world, with 4.7 cases per 100,000 people. The prevalence of ALS in Japan has increased substantially over the past two decades, and it is estimated that there are around 50,000 people living with the disease.
Australia: Australia has the third-highest rate of ALS, with 3.2 cases per 100,000 people. The prevalence of ALS in Australia has been increasing steadily since the 1980s, and it is estimated that there are around 4,000 people living with the disease.
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom has the fourth-highest rate of ALS in the world, with 2.1 cases per 100,000 people. The prevalence of ALS in the UK has been increasing since the late 1990s, and it is estimated that there are around 8,000 people living with the disease.
Italy: Italy has the fifth-highest rate of ALS in the world, with 1.9 cases per 100,000 people. The prevalence of ALS in Italy has been increasing since the mid-1990s, and it is estimated that there are around 4,000 people living with the disease.