Why is sickle cell anemia common in Africa?

Sickle Cell Disease. Is sickle cell a "black" disease? No. Contrary to popular perception, the gene variant that causes sickle cell disease evolved as a result of its surprising upside malaria resistance. read more

Sickle erythrocytes are immune to attack by malarian protozoa. It’s been postulated that people from Central and West Africa developed sickle cell trait as a protection against malaria. I don’t know if that was proven or can be proved. read more

Contrary to popular perception, the gene variant that causes sickle cell disease evolved as a result of its surprising upside – malaria resistance. In the malaria belt regions of Africa, the Middle East, southern Europe and South Asia, this gene variant flourished because the benefits of malaria resistance outweighed the negative impact of sickle cell disease. read more