Although traveling abroad can be relaxing and rewarding, the physical demands of travel can be stressful, particularly for travelers with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or arthritis. With a little planning and preparation, people with chronic illnesses can have safe and enjoyable trips. If you have a chronic illness and are planning an international trip, visit your health care provider or a travel medicine specialist at least a month before you leave. Some chronic illnesses and medicines, such as steroids, can weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to travel-related infections.
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A genetic disease mostly affecting those of African descent, sickle cell produces debilitating pain and a life sometimes cut short, especially for the undiagnosed. And as a burden largely borne by the underprivileged, sickle cell is not just a medical problem, but a social one. Chasing the Crescent Moon explores the challenges posed by sickle cell through the story of one physician and the lives he has touched.
Dr. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong grew from a child of Ghanaian cocoa farmers to become a Yale scholar, an Olympic athlete, and one of the most important international warriors against sickle cell. He also bore a son who suffers from the disease. In his greatest accomplishment, Dr. Frempong established the only city-wide newborn screening for sickle cell in all of West Africa, where 1 in 50 babies suffers from the illness.
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The American Society of Hematology (ASH) believes it is essential to provide updated treatment guidelines that reflect the newest evidence about the disease, ensuring the medical community can better treat SCD and people living with SCD can make the best decisions for their care.
In partnership with the Evidence-Based Practice Research Program at Mayo Clinic, the 2019-2021 ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) were developed using the GRADE methodology to ensure the highest standards for trustworthiness. ASH brought together more than 70 experts, including hematologists, clinicians from other specialties, and patient and caregiver representatives to identify best practices for the management of acute and chronic complications of SCD and ways to improve the quality of care for people living with SCD.
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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects the red blood cells and occurs when a person has inherited a sickle cell gene from each parent. The sickle-shaped red blood cells break apart easily, clump together, and stick to the walls of blood vessels, blocking the flow of blood and causing a range of complications, including severe pain, acute chest syndrome (a condition that affects the lungs), stroke, organ damage, and even premature death.
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) believes it is essential to provide updated treatment guidelines that reflect the newest evidence about the disease, ensuring the medical community can better treat SCD and people with SCD can make the best decisions for their care.
In partnership with the Evidence-Based Practice Research Program at Mayo Clinic, the 2019-2020 ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on SCD were developed using the GRADE methodology to ensure the highest standards for trustworthiness.
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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that affects approximately 100,000 Black, African American, and Hispanic-Americans in the United States. The disease is progressive and causes life-threatening complications that require comprehensive healthcare to manage. The first objective of this analysis was to identify barriers to SCD healthcare and to assess their impact on a state level. The second purpose was to evaluate the current research on Community Health Worker (CHW) interventions, and estimate the economic impact that CHW programs could have on SCD patients’ overall healthcare costs. Community health workers (CHWs) are trained community members who can support SCD patients, reduce barriers to care, foster connections with the healthcare system, and provide health education.
After a thorough review of the literature, we determined that the key healthcare access barriers for SCD patients include provider shortages, economic factors, ability to consistently access specialist and preventative care, and healthcare disparities. Though these barriers to care occur nationally, we found that SCD patients are more likely to experience difficulty accessing healthcare in the southern states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Florida.
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What Is the New CA Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Mental Health and Wellness Initiative?
We believe that free counseling should be accessible to all California residents living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Beginning April 1, 2022, Cayenne Wellness Center’s Sickle Cell Education, Advocacy, and Support, will start to meet the unique needs of the sickle cell community by offering the following types of mental health and wellness services:
• Mental Health Counseling
• Health Coaching
• Holistic Health Consultation
Who Are the Providers?
We have listened and made sure the compassionate counselors, coaches, and consultants who are committed to sickle cell and your well-being.
Who Can Participate in the CA SCD Mental Health and Wellness Program Services?
The California SCD Mental Health and Wellness Initiative were explicitly created for California residents over 16 years old living with sickle cell disease. The licensed professionals specializing in individual counseling, health coaching, and holistic health will provide the services.
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