September is National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic disease that causes the body to produce abnormal blood cells that cannot deliver oxygen to the rest of the body properly.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reports that sickle cell disease (SCD) affects approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States. However, over 90% of those with SCD are Black, while 3% to 9% are Hispanic or Latino.
Furthermore, SCD affects about 1 in 365 Black babies and 1 in 16,300 Hispanic babies born in the U.S. Additionally, 1 in 13 Black babies are born with sickle cell trait (SCT), which means they carry only one sickle cell gene. Although individuals with SCT typically do not experience any symptoms of SCD, they can still transmit the trait to their offspring.
In observance of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we’re committed to addressing health disparities in our communities and providing resources that promote equitable healthcare:
- Sickle Cell Disease: What You Need to Know
- CMS Sickle Cell Disease Action Plan (PDF)
- The Invisible Crisis: Understanding Pain Management in Medicare Beneficiaries with Sickle Cell Disease (PDF)
- Fact Sheets on Sickle Cell Disease
- 5 Facts You Should Know About Sickle Cell Disease
- What Is Sickle Cell Disease?
Telligen is proud to offer our own suite of health equity solutions to identify and eliminate healthcare disparities to improve health for all. Learn more at Telligen.com/health-equity.