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Sickle-cell disease, usually presenting in childhood, occurs more commonly in people (or their descendants) from parts of tropical and sub-tropical regions where malaria is or was common. One-third of all indigenous inhabitants of Sub-Saharan Africa carry the gene, because in areas where malaria is common, there is a survival value in carrying only a single sickle-cell gene . Those with only one of the two alleles of the sickle-cell disease are more resistant to malaria, since the infestation of the malaria plasmodium is halted by the sickling of the cells which it infests.

The prevalence of the disease in the United States is approximately 1 in 5,000, mostly affecting African Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health.

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Does sickle cell anemia affect certain groups of people more than others?

It affects those who are carriers as well as those who have the disease fully. Carriers though have both sickle cell blood cells and normal ones, and therefore can usually function just like other people would. It is most often seen in African-Americans.


How many African Americans are carriers of the sickle-cell?

A very high ratio of 1 in 11.


How many African Americans are carriers of sickle-cells allele?

A very high ratio of 1 in 11.


How many African Americans are carriers of sickle-cell allele?

A very high ratio of 1 in 11.


What groups get sickle cell disease?

A person can only inherit sickle-cell genes if some of their ancestors came from certain regions in Africa where the inhabitants carry sickle-cell genes. A person with one sickle-cell gene has sickle-cell trait, a milder problem. If both father and mother pass on sickle-cell genes, the child, with two genes, will have sickle-cell disease.


What is the serious hereditary blood disease found most commonly in African-Americans?

Sickle cell anemia


Why do African Americans get affected by sickle cell anemia?

Sickle cell anemia is a gentic disease carried by people of African and sometimes Indian decent. Although both parents need to at least carry the gene for their children to get it not necessarily have the disease.


It's estimated that 1 in 12 African-Americans carries the gene for what blood disease?

Sickle cell anemia


How many African Americans are sickle blood cell carriers?

Sickle cell trait is an inherited blood disorder that affects 1 million to 3 million Americans and 8 to 10 percent of African Americans. Sickle cell trait can also affect Hispanics, South Asians, Caucasians from southern Europe, and people from Middle Eastern countries.


Do carriers of sickle cells get simptoms of the disease?

Carriers of sickle cell disease, known as sickle cell trait, typically do not experience symptoms of the disease. They usually have one normal hemoglobin gene and one sickle hemoglobin gene, which means they can produce both normal and abnormal hemoglobin. While they are generally asymptomatic, under extreme conditions such as high altitude or severe dehydration, some carriers may experience mild symptoms. However, they do not have the full-blown disease, which primarily affects individuals with two sickle hemoglobin genes.


How many African American are carriers of the sickle cell?

A very high ratio of 1 in 11.


Which ethnic group does sickle cell disease affect?

Black people have a genetic predisposition to sickle cell anemia. Recently there has been progress made in curing this horrible disease.