Sickle Cell Disease: Facts and Stats

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder in which red blood cells may become sickle-shaped and hardened. For a baby to be born with sickle cell disease, both parents must carry a sickle cell trait or genes for hemoglobin like HbC, HbE, or beta-thalassemia. Sickle cell disease is not contagious, and there is no universal cure. The SCD Facts: • About 1 in 13 African Americans carry the sickle cell trait, and many do not know they have it. • An estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. have SCD. • Approximately 2,000 babies are born with SCD annually in the U.S. • On average, diagnosis is made at birth. • People of many ethnic backgrounds can have SCD. • Latinos have the second most common incidence in the U.S. • Donate blood to support transfusions.   Abstract source