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Birth Prevalence and Social Vulnerability Patterns of Sickle Cell Disease in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis (2016–2020)
Abstract:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a significant public health concern in the United States due to its association with chronic morbidity, premature mortality, and high healthcare costs. This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis of newborn screening data from 11 U.S. states participating in the Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) program between 2016 and 2020 to determine the crude and race-specific birth prevalence of SCD and examine associated social vulnerability patterns. Among 3,305 confirmed SCD cases, 90% of affected infants were Black or African American and 4% were Hispanic or Latino. The overall crude SCD birth prevalence was 4.83 per 10,000 live births (1 in every 2,070), with a notably higher prevalence among non-Hispanic Black newborns at 28.54 per 10,000 (1 in every 350). Analysis of the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) revealed that 67% of mothers of infants with SCD resided in counties with high or very high vulnerability, especially in themes related to racial/ethnic minority status (89%) and housing/transportation (64%). These findings underscore the intersection of racial disparities and socioeconomic disadvantage in SCD-affected populations and highlight the urgent need for targeted public health interventions. Addressing transportation barriers, housing insecurity, and structural inequities in highly vulnerable regions could significantly enhance access to care and improve health outcomes for children living with SCD.
