Screening policies for sickle cell and thalassaemia have only recently been formalized in the UK. This book asks what types of ethnicity information are relevant for health professionals to ask as part of this screening and why. Through extensive use of interview material, the book draws upon the experiences of sickle cell and thalassaemia counsellors who have been at the forefront of understanding in this area. The book: . Demonstrates how best practice for screening in a multi-ethnic society requires us to better understand the myth of 'races', the meanings of concepts such as ethnicity and racialization, and the relation of racism to issues of citizenship, immigration, asylum and nationality. . Shows how learning from best practice for screening could be a model for developing cultural competency across all types of health care provision. . Clarifies, through the use of the biologically-grounded exemplar of sickle cell and thalassaemia, debates of 'race' and ethnicity for those working in social sciences. . Listens to the voices of experience and validates the hitherto unacknowledged achievements of professional women from minoritized ethnic groups. Extensive direct quotations from experienced sickle cell and thalassemia counsellors Explanations of key concepts, such as 'race', ethnicity and racism Explanation of the political, social and historical factors underlying tensions in asking an ethnicity questions Further resources and website information

Sickle cell and thalassaemia are among the world’s most common genetic conditions. They are especially common in Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia. They affect all ethnic groups but they particularly impact on minority ethnic groups in North America, Europe and Australasia. Much research has focused on clinical, laboratory and genetic studies of these conditions. Through a wide-ranging selection of readings based on social scientific research into sickle cell and thalassaemia, this book seeks to redress this imbalance. This is important as, through an examination of the different social, economic and cultural contexts of the lives of people living with sickle cell or thalassaemia, the contributors demonstrate that people are more than the sum of their genes and that their life experiences are rarely derived solely from the clinical severity of their condition but depend on the social context of their lives. Genetics and Global Public Health presents a new concluding chapter which highlights the critical nature of social science research for sickle cell and thalassaemia communities, providing key insights into the social contexts of human behaviour and analysing how societal arrangements could change to assist people living with either condition. It will be of great interest to postgraduate and research students as well as professionals working in the field of public health. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Ethnicity and Health.

Volume 1 of the Prevention Book presents the principles of a programme for the prevention of the thalassaemia and other haemoglobin disorders, including a description of the various types of disorders requiring prenatal diagnosis, the strategies used for carrier screening, and a number of annexes listing upto date epidemiological and mutation data on thalassaemia. This book was written for use in combination with Volume 2, which describes many of the laboratory protocols in great detail.

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) and thalassaemia are inherited blood disorders which have only recently gained serious attention among health professionals and policy makers. In this text, Anionwu (nursing, Thames Valley U.) and Atkin (U. of Leeds) explore issues regarding these disorders in the UK, and the broader problems faced by minority ethnic communities in acquiring adequate health care and support. Coverage includes a clinical introduction to haemoglobinopathies; screening and diagnosing within the context of the "new genetics," including associated ethical dilemmas and problems; general problems faced by patients and their families, and their daily coping strategies; current shortfalls in providing care; examples of existing good practice; strategies and struggles from the historical development of haemoglobinopathy services in the UK; and opportunities and threats for the future. c. Book News Inc.

Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease and other Haemoglobinopathies is a Special Issue of the International Journal of Neonatal Screening. Sickle cell disease is one of the most common inherited blood disorders, with a huge impact on health care systems due to high morbidity and high mortality associated with the undiagnosed disease. Newborn screening helps to make the diagnosis early and to prevent fatal complications and diagnostic odysseys. This book gives an overview of diagnostic standards in newborn screening for sickle cell disease and examples of existing newborn screening programs.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe chronic illness and one of the world’s most common genetic conditions, with 400,000 children born annually with the disorder, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Brazil, the Middle East and in diasporic African populations in North America and Europe. Biomedical treatments for SCD are increasingly available to the world’s affluent populations, while such medical care is available only in attenuated forms in Africa, India and to socio-economically disadvantaged groups in North America and Europe. Often a condition rendered invisible in policy terms because of its problematic association with politically marginalized groups, the social study of sickle cell has been neglected. This illuminating volume explores the challenges and possibilities for developing a social view of sickle cell, and for improving the quality of lives of those living with SCD. Tackling the controversial role of screening and genetics in SCD, the book offers a brief thematic history of approaches to the condition, queries the role of ethnicity and includes a discussion of how the social model of disability can be applied, as well as featuring chapters focusing on athletics, prisons and schools. Bringing together a wide range of original research conducted in the USA, the UK, Ghana and Nigeria, Sickle Cell and the Social Sciences is anchored in the discipline of sociology, but draws upon a diverse range of fields, including public health, anthropology, social policy and disability studies.

Understand the rapidly growing complexities of obstetric hematology and high-risk pregnancy management, with experts in the field. Now in its second edition, this comprehensive and essential guide focuses on providing the best support for patients and clinical staff, to prevent serious complications in pregnancy and the post-partum period for both mother and baby. Wide-ranging and detailed, the guide offers discussions on basic principles of best care, through to tackling lesser-known hematological conditions, such as cytopenias and hemoglobinopathies. Updated with color illustrations, cutting-edge research, accurate blood film reproductions, and practical case studies, the revised edition places invaluable advice into everyday context. This unique resource is essential reading for trainees and practitioners in obstetrics, anesthesia, and hematology, as well as midwives, nurses, and laboratory staff. Clarifying difficult procedures for disease prevention, the guide ensures safety when the stakes are high. Reflecting current evidence-based guidelines, the updated volume is key to improving pregnancy outcomes worldwide.