People with sickle cell disease face damaging stigma

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder characterised by abnormal haemoglobin and sickle shaped red blood cells. It is a severe and chronic condition, with symptomatic manifestations including pain, anaemia, jaundice, and, in extreme cases, organ damage. India has the world’s third highest number of sickle cell births—the incidence at birth for India was 16% of the global burden in 20211—following Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Our work with people with sickle cell disease in Chhattisgarh state in central India shows the many ways this illness affects quality of life. Stigma and bias erode wellbeing and exacerbate psychological harm, particularly for people from marginalised communities. Many with the disease are reluctant to reveal their status because of concerns about prejudice and criticism, often choosing to live in secrecy. This stigma can stem from a lack of knowledge and understanding—as well as misconceptions about the illness, such as that…
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