This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to sickle cell disease within minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders where red blood cells produce abnormal hemoglobin—a protein that carries oxygen—causing the cells to become hard, sticky, and sickle (crescent) shaped. These sickle-shaped cells break down faster than normal cells, leading to a shortage of red blood cells and causing a condition called anemia. They can also block blood flow in small blood vessels, which can cause pain and serious health problems such as infections, lung complications, and stroke. SCD affects about 100,000 people in the United States, 90% of whom are Black/African American. About 1 in 13 Black/African American babies is born with sickle cell trait, meaning they inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene. About 1 in 365 Black/African American babies is born with sickle cell disease.
Date Last Reviewed: March 2026