Public health implications of sickle cell trait: a report of the CDC meeting

• Published in: American journal of preventive medicine Vol. 41; no. 6 Suppl 4; pp. S435 - S439
• Main Authors: Grant, Althea M, Parker, Christopher S, Jordan, Lanetta B, Hulihan, Mary M, Creary, Melissa S, Lloyd-Puryear, Michele A, Goldsmith, Jonathan C, Atrash, Hani K
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01.12.2011
• Subjects: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Communication; Health Education; Health initiatives; Health promotion; Health services; Humans; Mass Screening - methods; Public health; Public Health - ethics; Public Health - legislation & jurisprudence; Sickle cell anaemia; Sickle Cell Trait - diagnosis; Sickle Cell Trait - prevention & control; Stakeholders; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0749-3797; 1873-2607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2011.09.012

Although the issue of whether sickle cell trait (SCT) is clinically benign or a significant health concern has not yet been resolved, the potential health risk to affected individuals is of vital importance and represents a tremendous challenge in protecting, promoting, and improving the health of the approximately 300 million people worldwide and 3 million people in the U.S. who possess the trait. In response to a request by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, in December 2009, the CDC convened a meeting of partners, stakeholders, and experts to identify the gaps in public health, clinical health services, epidemiologic research, and community-based outreach strategies and to develop an agenda for future initiatives. Through facilitated discussion and presentations in four topic areas, participants discussed pertinent issues, synthesized clinical research findings, and developed a coherent framework for establishing an agenda for future initiatives. A primary outcome of the meeting was to provide the first step of an iterative process to move toward agreement regarding appropriate counseling, care, and, potentially, treatment of people with SCT.