How common is it to get the skin disease vitiligo?

I have a very distant cousin who has it, and I'm wondering if it's genetic. Also, is this a rare disease, or is it actually very common and just not talked about? I'm African American and proud of my color, so naturally, I don't want to lose it. Not to mention the cost of treatments, and the possible need to bleach my skin to even everything out. I know it's silly, but I'm nervous about it. Does anyone have any information?How common is it to get the skin disease vitiligo?
1% of the world's population gets this disease so I think it is rarer than other auto immune diseases.but here is a link that may help you understand.


http://www.ask.com/bar?q=vitiligo+skin+d鈥?/a>