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Currently, approximately
250 million people worldwide carry the gene responsible for sickle
cell disease and other
hemoglobin diseases. Each
year about 300,000 infants are born with a major hemoglobin disease
worldwide. In the United States, 10% of the population is at risk
for sickle cell disease.
Annually, in California approximately 150 babies are identified with sickle cell
disease and one in every 70 infants is identified with sickle cell trait or another
hemoglobin trait, the carrier status for sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin
diseases. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 persons with sickle cell
disease residing in Los Angeles, however the actual figure is currently unknown.
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