Sickle Cell Disease
Stigma Worsens Sickle Cell Disease Outcomes
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that causes decreased life expectancy and acute and chronic pain. As a disease that predominately affects Black patients, SCD is also strongly tied to racism and health inequities. Analyzing the various ways that stigma affects Black patients could vastly improve SCD outcomes. This systematic review identified four...
Racism, Poor Mental Health, and Sickle Cell Disease
While there is a significant body of research supporting the connection between racism in healthcare and poor psychological and physiological health outcomes, the literature in pediatric care is lacking, especially with regard to sickle cell disease (SCD). As SCD predominately affects Black individuals, many patients—including many children—experience forms of racism in healthcare, including denial of...
St. Jude Nurse Helped Pioneer Sickle Cell Disease Research
By Colin Lee It was on an unseasonably warm February day in Memphis, nearly 60 years ago, that Odell Thompson stood with his sisters and about 9,000 others to watch history happen — the entertainer and humanitarian Danny Thomas officially opening St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now a loyal St. Jude supporter, Odell recalls with...
Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: Racism and Sickle Cell Disease Disparities
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Ahmar Zaidi, we discuss the role of racism in sickle cell disease disparities. We also discuss the importance of talking about sickle cell disease disparities with patients. MD Newsline: How does racism contribute to sickle cell disease disparities? Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: “There’s a couple of...
Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: Sickle Cell Disease Awareness and Funding
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Ahmar Zaidi, we discuss how funding and research compare for sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. We also discuss how to increase awareness of and funding for sickle cell disease. MD Newsline: How do sickle cell disease funding and research compare to the funding and research for...
Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Ahmar Zaidi, we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sickle cell disease care and sickle cell disease disparities. MD Newsline: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted sickle cell disease care? Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: “For us as hematologists, early during the pandemic, we were not...
Sickle Cell Disease Mismanagement and Implicit Bias
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Ahmar Zaidi, we discuss how sickle cell disease is a health disparities disease. We also discuss implicit bias and the misdiagnosis of sickle cell disease and sickle cell disease pain. MD Newsline: How is sickle cell disease a health disparities disease? Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: “Sickle...
Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: Providing Culturally Sensitive Care
In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Ahmar Zaidi, we discuss how to provide culturally sensitive care and overcome language barriers. MD Newsline: How have you been able to implement culturally sensitive care in your practice? Dr. Ahmar Zaidi: “I’ve really modified my style to go from more talking to more listening....
Medical Marijuana Tied to Fewer Admissions in Sickle Cell Disease
Use of medical marijuana is associated with fewer hospitalizations among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a study published online in Blood Advances. Abstract/Full Text
More Medical News
