2026 Rachel Horne Prize Winner Sandra Vukusic, MD, PhD, on Advancing Women's Health in MS
Dr. Sandra Vukusic has been awarded the 2026 Rachel Horne Prize for her extensive research into multiple sclerosis (MS) in women, particularly regarding pregnancy and reproductive health. Her work has helped shift clinical perspectives, moving away from outdated advice that discouraged pregnancy for MS patients.
Why it matters
This highlights progress in gender-specific medical research and the importance of evidence-based counseling for women living with chronic conditions.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects an estimated 3.1 million patients worldwide and is up to 3 times more common in women than in men. Since it is generally diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, many women receive their diagnosis during their reproductive years.1 For decades, women with MS were often advised against pregnancy because of concerns that it would worsen the disease.
The prospective Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis (PRIMS) study helped change that view. Originally published in 2004, It showed that relapse rates decline during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, and rise in the first 3 months postpartum before returning to prepregnancy levels, and that most women did not relapse during the postpartum period.2,3
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