Global Sickle Cell Deaths Eleven Times Higher Than Recorded Reveals Lancet Study

Lancet study reveals a startling rise in sickle cell mortality globally, underscoring the urgent need for improved surveillance and effective treatment strategies.

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A study published in The Lancet brings to light an alarming reality: the global mortality burden of sickle cell disease is nearly 11 times higher than previously recorded. 

The comprehensive report analyzes sickle cell disease, highlighting its prevalence and death rates from 2000 to 2021 across 204 countries. It reveals a significant surge in individuals battling this illness. This situation is worsened by cases slipping under the radar due to underdiagnosis and a lack of comprehensive knowledge about the disease’s overarching effects on global health.

A Closer Look at the Lancet Study

The Lancet’s new research offers a sobering view into the worldwide escalating burden of sickle cell disease (SCD). This research signifies the first attempt to evaluate the comprehensive global mortality toll of SCD, using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021.