World Sickle Cell Day

Observed annually on 19 June, recognized by the UN in 2008, World Sickle Cell Day raises awareness of sickle cell disease, one of the most common genetic blood disorders, affecting over 300,000 newborns each year worldwide, with the highest burden in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and the Middle East.

“Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Disease” focuses on the avoidable differences in survival, quality of life and access to effective care among people living with sickle cell disease.

The emphasis is not simply on the existence of treatments, but on whether people can actually reach, afford and consistently receive appropriate diagnosis, preventive care, medicines, transfusions, specialist services and comprehensive long-term support. It also places people living with SCD, caregivers and advocates at the center of efforts to improve care. 

• Close gaps in access to early diagnosis and newborn screening.
• Expand access to comprehensive, lifelong sickle cell care.
• Improve access to effective disease-modifying treatments, including hydroxyurea where appropriate.
• Prevent and manage major complications such as stroke, severe anemia, acute chest syndrome and recurrent pain.
• Improve access to safe blood transfusion and appropriately matched blood.
• Address financial, geographic and health-system barriers to care.
• Strengthen sickle cell services within primary and universal health coverage systems.
• Reduce stigma and misconceptions surrounding sickle cell disease.
• Improve transition from pediatric to adult care.
• Support mental health, education, employment and social participation.
• Strengthen healthcare-worker knowledge and capacity.
• Include people living with SCD and caregivers in policy and service design.
• Increase research, data collection, innovation and investment.
• Address inequities that contribute to preventable illness and premature death.

• Sickle cell disease (SCD)
• Sickle cell anemia
• Hemoglobin S
• Sickle cell trait
• Hemoglobinopathies
• Vaso-occlusive crisis
• Pain crisis
• Hydroxyurea therapy
• Newborn screening
• Bone marrow transplant
• Genotype
• Genetic counseling
• Disease-modifying therapy
• Severe anemia
• Acute chest syndrome
• Stroke
• Organ damage
• Blood transfusion