The ME Association

We're here for you…

The ME Association has been providing expert help since 1980. We understand the challenges faced by people with ME/CFS and Long Covid and believe that nobody should struggle alone. 

Health Crisis

We estimate that at least 250,000 people in the UK have ME/CFS. In addition, a significant but unknown number of people diagnosed with some form of Long Covid also meet diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. It represents a very real health crisis.

Based on past epidemiological research evidence we estimated that at least 250,000 people had ME/CFS in the UK. This figure is likely to be a significant under-estimate as a result of some people having remained undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and more recently with people developing ME/CFS after catching Covid-19.

Research evidence also indicates that around 50% of people with some form of Long Covid (currently around 2 million in the UK) meet diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. We are currently reviewing all the research evidence with a view to producing a new estimate that is still evidence-based and would be accepted by organisations such as NHS England.
More information

PVFS = Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome
ME = Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Encephalopathy

CFS = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Long Covid = Post-Covid Syndrome