Today is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

June 19th of every year was set to be the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day to increase awareness of this disease as being one of the most common health related problems. 

 

Moreover, it seeks to correct misconceptions about this disease, highlighting the importance of early before birth detection to know whether or not the fetus will be affected or if it is just a carrier. 

It should be noted that several treatment methods were discovered and its symptoms were reduced through bone marrow transplantation.

SCD is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity that merits closer consideration. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that SCD contributes to 5% of the deaths of children younger than 5 years of age in some African countries. While an increasing proportion of affected children now survive past 5 years of age, many remain at risk of premature death. 

With early detection and use of public health interventions such as penicillin, many of these deaths can be prevented. Additionally, the burden of this disease can be reduced with increased global resources and effective partnerships.