Sickle cell disease (SCD), a term to describe a group of inherited disorders of the red blood cell, is among the most prevalent genetic diseases in the United States (U.S.). While most common among Blacks or African Americans in the U.S., individuals with heritage from sub-Saharan Africa; Spanish-speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere (South America, the Caribbean, and Central America); the Middle East; India; and Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece and Italy; may also be affected.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in every 365 African-American babies in the U.S. is born with SCD; and worldwide, approximately 300,000 babies are born with SCD each year.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) funds two grant initiatives under the Sickle Cell Services Program related to SCD, sickle cell trait (SCT) and other hemoglobinopathies: Sickle Cell Initiative and Sickle Cell Statewide Family Support Initiative. As a public health program, the ODH Sickle Cell Services Program works to:

• Ensure and enhance the availability and accessibility of quality, comprehensive sickle cell services and care for newborns, children, and adults.
• Promote public and professional education and awareness about SCD, SCT and other hemoglobinopathies.
• Increase strategies to maximize collaboration, coordination and utilization of all sickle cell-related services and resources in Ohio.

At the state level, the program:

• Funds the Regional Sickle Cell Projects (RSCPs) and Statewide Family Support Project.
• Maintains sickle cell standards and criteria that serve to outline the service and administrative components for RSCPs under the Sickle Cell Initiative.
• Monitors and evaluates sickle cell services provided by the funded projects.

The ODH Sickle Cell Services Program is part of the Child and Specialty Health section housed in the Bureau of Child and Family Health.

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Child and Family Health
Sickle Cell Services Program
246 North High Street - 4th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: 614-728-6787

E-mail: cheryl.jones@odh.ohio.gov