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Why does sickle cell anemia only affect african american?

Best Answers

Sickle cell is found more frequently in persons of Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean and African heritage because those geographic regions are most prone to malaria. The gene variant for sickle cell disease is related to malaria, not skin color. read more

Myth: Sickle Cell Disease only affects blacks or African American. Fact: Anyone can inherit Sickle Cell but it is most common in African-American due to its origin on the continent of Africa; Myth: Sickle Cell Trait is Sickle Cell Disease. read more

Sickle cell trait is an inherited blood disorder that affects approximately 8 percent of African-Americans. Unlike sickle cell disease, in which patients have two genes that cause the production of abnormal hemoglobin, individuals with sickle cell trait carry only one defective gene and typically live normal lives without health problems related to sickle cell. read more