Biden Affirms Commitment to Reducing Health Inequity in National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Proclamation
September 01, 2021
President Joe Biden affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life and health outcomes for all individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) in a proclamation for
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, which began Sept. 1. Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which RBCs are hard, sticky and sickle-shaped. These “sickle cells” die early, causing a shortage of red blood cells. They can also clog small blood vessels and lead to pain crises.
In the proclamation, Biden emphasized that SCD disproportionately affects Black and Brown Americans and stated that his administration is “committed to following science, delivering breakthroughs, eliminating health disparities facing communities of color and other underserved communities, and promoting the health and wellness of all Americans.”
Biden also celebrated current progress in the effort to cure and develop improved treatments for SCD, including the “Cure Sickle Cell Initiative” to accelerate safe, effective and scalable gene therapies to cure SCD. The President concluded the proclamation by calling upon Americans to learn more about the progress to reduce the burden of SCD on Americans who are living with it.