Blood Disorders
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Did You Know? is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to inform your prevention activities. We invite you to read, share, and take action!
View the Current Did You Know?
June 23, 2017
- Sickle cell disease—a group of inherited red blood cell disorders—can cause health problems that require care in a hospital or clinic emergency department (ED).
- People with sickle cell disease who go to EDs sometimes face longer wait times or are perceived as drug-seeking because their symptoms might be less visible.
- ED healthcare providers [PDF-334KB] can use new CDC resources to help improve the care of patients with sickle cell disease [PDF-246KB] who seek care in EDs.
December 9, 2016
- As many as 1 in 100 women in the United States may have a bleeding disorder, but many are unaware of their condition.
- Signs of a bleeding disorder can include heavy menstrual periods or heavy or prolonged bleeding after childbirth, surgery, or injury.
- Public health and healthcare professionals can use and share screening tools [PDF-126KB] and other resources to help women determine whether they are at risk for bleeding disorders.
October 7, 2016
- Blood clots affect up to 900,000 Americans and lead to about 100,000 deaths every year―but they are often preventable.
- Treatment for blood clots can cost as much as $15,000 to $20,000 per person, with estimated health costs of $10 billion annually in the United States.
- Healthcare professionals and health department staff can Stop the Clot, Spread the Word™ [PDF-317KB] about blood clots and even take a free continuing education training.
September 2, 2016
- An estimated 100,000 people in the United States are living with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder.
- Hemoglobinopathies monitoring, including the Sickle Cell Data Collection program, will help scientists better understand the health of people with SCD.
- Health providers and public health partners can access and share resources that help to improve the lives of those with SCD.
April 22, 2016
- Hemoglobinopathies are a group of inherited blood disorders—like sickle cell disease and thalassemia—that affect millions of people around the world.
- CDC monitors hemoglobinopathies to find out how many people have these disorders and how they affect health over time.
- Health departments and healthcare facilities can use new guidance [PDF-3.6 MB] from CDC and the Association of Public Health Laboratories to design or improve their hemoglobinopathy screening programs.
December 11, 2015
- Among the 10 million US women who report heavy menstrual bleeding, about 1 in 10 have a bleeding disorder, according to a CDC study.
- Bleeding disorders are conditions that keep a person’s blood from clotting properly and, if untreated, pose serious risks for women, especially after childbirth, surgery, or injury.
- Many women with bleeding disorders go undiagnosed; health professionals can use a screening tool [PDF-127KB] to identify women who need testing or treatment.
October 16, 2015
- Blood clots affect as many as 900,000 Americans each year, and about 50% of them are related to a recent hospital stay or surgery.
- Most healthcare-associated blood clots happen after patients leave the hospital—learn the signs and symptoms and when to seek medical care.
- You can test your knowledge about healthcare-associated blood clots and help prevent them by sharing new CDC infographics, fact sheets, and e-cards.
September 11, 2015
- Although African Americans are most likely to carry sickle cell trait, people of every racial and ethnic group can have the condition.
- Sickle cell trait and disease can be passed on to children [PDF-2.8MB]; find out where to get screening and genetic counseling.
- You can find information about sickle cell trait and sports, diabetes testing, blood and organ donation, and more in the Sickle Cell Trait Toolkit.
May 22, 2015
- Thalassemia major is a rare but serious disease that causes people to produce fewer red blood cells than usual (anemia).
- People with severe thalassemia require ongoing treatment to reduce complications such as enlarged spleen, bone disease, infections, and too much iron in the body.
- By seeking care at a thalassemia treatment center and carefully following a treatment plan, people with thalassemia can live a healthy life.
April 24, 2015
- One of every 5,000 baby boys is born with hemophilia, and about 20,000 males in the US currently live with the bleeding disorder.
- Hemophilia can lead to joint disease, pain, and death if the bleeding can’t be stopped or if it occurs in the brain or other vital organ.
- Healthcare professionals can earn continuing education credits by completing CDC’s online course, Introduction to Hemophilia Care.
March 20, 2015
- Blood clots—also known as venous thromboembolism—can be caused by not moving around for long periods of time, but they can be prevented and treated.
- US healthcare costs for blood clots can reach up to $10 billion per year.
- Doctors and nurses can help their patients prevent blood clots [PDF–175KB] by teaching them about risk factors, symptoms, and what to do during long-distance travel.
September 19, 2014
- One in four adults who thought they had sickle cell disease (SCD) did not actually have it or even the gene (sickle cell trait) that causes it.
- About 3 million people living in the US do have sickle cell trait, but many are unaware of their status [PDF-222KB].
- You could have a baby with SCD [PDF-1.3MB] if both you and your partner have sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait, or another abnormal hemoglobin gene. A local sickle cell center can help you get screened and learn your status.
June 13, 2014
- People of all ages with hemophilia are at risk for developing an inhibitor (or antibody) to the factor product used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes.
- Developing an inhibitor is a serious complication of hemophilia, and those affected are twice as likely to be hospitalized for a bleeding-related problem.
- People with hemophilia should be tested regularly for inhibitors, and if possible, their care should be provided at a hemophilia treatment center.
April 4, 2014
- Babies are born with very little vitamin K in their bodies, which can cause serious bleeding problemsthat can lead to brain damage and even death.
- Life-threatening bleeds from VKDB frequently occur without warning, but a single vitamin K shot [PDF – 247KB] given at birth will protect a baby from developing dangerous bleeding.
- You can help expectant parents learn how to protect their babies from VKDB by listening to this CDC podcast.
March 14, 2014
- Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism—together known as venous thromboembolism [PDF–357KB]—affect 300,000–600,000 individuals in the US each year, and at least 1 in 10 die.
- Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are often underdiagnosed and are serious but preventable medical conditions. Help others learn about the risk factors, signs, and symptoms.
- Learn what CDC is doing [PDF–1.2MB] about venous thromboembolism.
February 28, 2014
- A new CDC study finds that US children with sickle cell disease are more likely to develop invasive pneumococcal disease than children without sickle cell disease.
- About 1.6 million people die each year from pneumococcal disease worldwide, and about 10% with the invasive form will die from it.
- Children with sickle cell disease should be given vaccines, including the pneumococcal disease vaccine, in accordance with CDC’s recommended immunization schedule [PDF – 122KB].
November 15, 2013
- Colorectal cancer screening tests save lives by finding precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. Screening is recommended for men and women aged 50–75 years.
- Several types of tests are used to screen for colorectal cancer. Ask your doctor [PDF-178KB] which test is right for you.
- The 25 states and 4 tribes in CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program provide screening services to underinsured low-income men and women aged 50–64 years.
October 12, 2012
- Sickle cell disease affects nearly 100,000 Americans; more than 3 million people carry the sickle cell gene, which is inherited.
- CDC offers tips on living well with sickle cell disease, along with videos, a self-care toolkit [PDF-3.9MB], and information about complications and treatments.
- The Strategies from the Field [PDF-4.4MB] report showcases unique ways states use data collection to help improve the health of people with sickle cell disease.
Did You Know? information and web links are current as of their publication date. They may become outdated over time.
- Page last reviewed: October 11, 2016
- Page last updated: June 23, 2017
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