Sickle Cell Impacts Black Community at Disproportionate Rates

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and Sickle Cell Disease Association of America president Beverley Francis-Gibson joins BNC’s Sharon Reed and Mike Hill to raise awareness.

Approximately 100,000 people in the US have the genetic blood disorder, which impacts 1 out of every 365 African Americans. The disease involves red blood cells hardening and taking on a ‘C’ shape. As a result, the cells can’t flow to the body as the normal blood cells would. Francis-Gibson says patients often describe the “excruciating” pain as having razor blades traveling throughout the body. The Black Women’s Health Imperative, the first non-profit organization to help advance the health and wellness of Black women and girls, also aims to raise awareness about the disease impacting the Black community and alarming and disproportionate rates.

All this and more on “Start Your Day.”

To watch BNC programming, visit
Follow BNC on social media:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Instagram:

#SickleCell #BlackWomensHealthImperative #MedicalCommunity

source