title: Epidemiology of haemoglobin disorders in Europe: an overview.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As a result of global population movements, haemoglobin disorders (thalassaemias and sickle cell disorders) are increasingly common in the formerly non-indigenous countries of Northern and Western Europe and in the indigenous countries of Southern Europe. This article presents an overview of the changing picture and a method for assessing service needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on country of birth or ethnic origin of residents are adjusted to obtain the estimated proportions of residents and births in non-indigenous groups at risk for haemoglobin disorders in European countries. The results are combined with prevalence data in each country of origin to obtain country prevalence estimates. Service indicators (annual tests or other interventions required to ensure equitable delivery of treatment and prevention) are then derived by country.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Haemoglobin disorders now occur at comparable frequency throughout Northern, Western and Southern Europe. Annually, there are more affected conceptions in Northern and Western than in Southern Europe, and sickle cell disorders are more common than thalassaemias. There is growing need for health policy-makers to support motivated professionals working to develop optimal patient care, carrier diagnosis, genetic counselling and access to prenatal diagnosis throughout the Region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a strong case for pan-European collaboration on haemoglobin disorders to share policies, standards and the instruments required to support them. These include methods for needs assessment, service standards, education and information strategies and materials, and methods for evaluating service delivery.
authors: UCL Centre for Health Informatics and Multiprofessional Education (CHIME), London, UK, and Department of Haematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. b.modell@pcps.ucl.ac.uk
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Modell
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Darlison
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Birgens
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Cario
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Faustino
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Giordano
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Gulbis
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Hopmeier
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Lena-Russo
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Romao
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Theodorsson
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal