Nearly two million people in the United States carry the genetic mutation for sickle cell disease (SCD), and about 100,000 individuals suffer from the disease. Advancements in medical treatment for SCD have improved patient quality of life significantly.
More than 90% of patients with SCD survive into adulthood. However, due to a lack of affordable, quality medical care and programs, complications are common. These complications can include infection, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and kidney failure. Most carriers of the disease are Black or Hispanic.
Data from The National Institutes of Health were reviewed pertaining to the funding for research and pharmaceutical investments for SCD. This organization reported spending more than 3.5 times the amount on funding for cystic fibrosis (CF), which affects fewer than half of the number of people that suffer from SCD in the United States. Government foundations reported spending 440 times more on CF.
These statistics shine a light on America’s medical racism regarding the underfunding of SCD care. It is no coincidence that most patients with SCD are Black or Hispanic, non-white Americans. Inadequate healthcare for these non-white individuals leads to increased risk of complications and poor health outcomes.
In conclusion, race is a crucial element in the lack of healthcare funding for patients with SCD. Further research and programs are needed to help Black and Hispanic American communities with SCD gain access to medical treatments that can significantly improve their life expectancy and quality of life. Such interventions could help to rectify SCD disparities and achieve health equity [1].
Source:
[1] Lee, L., Smith-Whitley, K., Banks, S., & Puckrein, G. (2019). Reducing Health Care Disparities in Sickle Cell Disease: A Review. Public Health Reports, 134(6), 599–607. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354919881438
