Fighting Sickle Cell Stigma: Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Educates Community, Hosts Free Health Fair
Millions of people throughout the world, including nearly 100,000 Americans, have sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. The disease occurs in approximately one of every 365 Black or African-American births and in one of every 16,300 Hispanic-American births.
“Alarmingly, the prevalence of sickle cell disease in Shelby County, Tenn., where Memphis is located, is significantly higher than the reported national average,” said Rana Cooper, nurse practitioner with the Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. “Fortunately, Memphis is a hub for innovative sickle cell research. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare provides world-class and evidence-based patient care to help individuals with sickle cell disease live longer and healthier lives.”
People living with sickle cell disease may experience anemia, jaundice, fatigue, vision problems, frequent infections, stroke and frequent pain episodes commonly referred to as a sickle cell pain crisis. Symptoms can be mild or severe enough to require emergency care or frequent hospitalizations.
Sickle cell disease symptoms can be managed with long-term and continuous care from a comprehensive sickle cell center or a healthcare provider well trained in sickle cell disease.
The Methodist Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center recommends individualized patient treatment plans to alleviate or control pain, minimize organ damage, prevent infections and live healthy with the disease. Treatment plans should address:
- Blood transfusions
- Counseling
- Exercise
- Medication management
- Nutrition
Sickle cell disease or the sickle cell trait can be confirmed with genetic testing or a blood test. If you are unaware of your sickle cell status, contact your healthcare provider.
In addition to sickle cell education, health fair attendees can receive COVID-19 vaccines and connect with mental health resources. The event will also offer screenings for chronic health conditions prevalent in the Mid-South, including diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure. If left untreated, those three conditions can lead to more complicated and life-threatening illnesses such as heart attack, kidney failure and stroke.
