title: Public health implications of sickle cell trait: a report of the CDC meeting.
abstract: Although the issue of whether sickle cell trait (SCT) is clinically benign or a significant health concern has not yet been resolved, the potential health risk to affected individuals is of vital importance and represents a tremendous challenge in protecting, promoting, and improving the health of the approximately 300 million people worldwide and 3 million people in the U.S. who possess the trait. In response to a request by the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, in December 2009, the CDC convened a meeting of partners, stakeholders, and experts to identify the gaps in public health, clinical health services, epidemiologic research, and community-based outreach strategies and to develop an agenda for future initiatives. Through facilitated discussion and presentations in four topic areas, participants discussed pertinent issues, synthesized clinical research findings, and developed a coherent framework for establishing an agenda for future initiatives. A primary outcome of the meeting was to provide the first step of an iterative process to move toward agreement regarding appropriate counseling, care, and, potentially, treatment of people with SCT.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. agrant@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Althea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Lanetta B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hulihan
authors.forename: Melissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Creary
authors.forename: Michele A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lloyd-Puryear
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: Hani K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Atrash
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003142:Communication; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States