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Announcement: World Sickle Cell Day — June 19, 2016

Weekly / June 17, 2016 / 65(23);610


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June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect millions of persons worldwide. Sickle cell disease can cause pain and other serious problems, such as infection, acute chest syndrome, and stroke, and can lead to lifelong disabilities and reduced life expectancy.

Although the exact number of persons living with sickle cell disease in the United States is unknown, an estimated 100,000 persons in the United States are affected by sickle cell disease (1). CDC recently published a report estimating death rates from all causes among persons with sickle cell disease living in California and Georgia (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/features/keyfindings-scd-death-rate-estimates-ca-ga.html) (2). This study found a higher death rate from all causes among persons aged 5–74 years with sickle cell disease than previously estimated using other methods. Death rates were higher among persons in California and Georgia aged 5–74 years with sickle cell disease than among African Americans in California and Georgia or among persons of similar age in the general population in these two states. This study provides the most accurate estimate to date of rates of death in persons with sickle cell disease.

CDC is also working with partners to develop the Sickle Cell Data Collection Program (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemoglobinopathies/scdc.html), which tracks health information of persons living with sickle cell disease in the United States throughout their lives. The longitudinal data collection system will help inform decisions about best treatments and models of care for persons with sickle cell disease to improve and extend their lives.

In addition to conducting research and surveillance, CDC also strives to raise public awareness and provide education about sickle cell disease by providing free materials to families affected by the disease. Readers can learn more about sickle cell disease at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/index.html/ and can print or download materials at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/freematerials.html.

References

  1. Hassell KL. Population estimates of sickle cell disease in the U.S. Am J Prev Med 2010;38(Suppl):S512–21. CrossRef PubMed
  2. Paulukonis ST, Eckman JR, Snyder AB, et al. Defining sickle cell disease mortality using a population-based surveillance system, 2004–2008. Public Health Rep 2016;131:367–75. PubMed

Suggested citation for this article: Announcement: World Sickle Cell Day — June 19, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:610. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6523a6.

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