Over 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease often struggle to access effective healthcare and groundbreaking treatments, as stated by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Despite medical advancements bringing us closer to cures, many individuals with sickle cell disease and their families still face challenges in obtaining the care they need.
The U.S. is now testing a new access model to make gene therapy, a potentially curative treatment for sickle cell disease, more affordable. This initiative is a significant step towards addressing health disparities and underrepresentation in the healthcare system, particularly for those affected by sickle cell disease, a condition that predominantly affects African Americans. The success of this model could pave the way for more equitable access to advanced treatments for all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
See: “Can Gene Therapy Be Affordable? U.S. Tries New Access Model in Sickle Cell Disease” on the Inside Precision Medicine website (February 7, 2024)
