Reimagining Blood Management for a Healthier Future  

Iron Deficiency: An Overlooked Burden  

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the silent toll of iron deficiency and anemia. Anemia affects more than 2 billion people worldwide – about 25% of the global population – and iron deficiency is its leading cause. Despite being one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, iron deficiency often goes unrecognized. Women, children and patients with chronic diseases are disproportionately affected. Left untreated, it can lead to fatigue, developmental challenges, heart complications and, in many cases, the need for transfusion.  

Experts also called attention to the overreliance on transfusions. While lifesaving in emergencies, transfusions carry risks such as stroke, kidney injury and longer hospital stays – adding significant costs to already overburdened health systems. Prevention through early screening and timely treatment of anemia provides a safer, more effective and economically sustainable path forward.  

Reimagining Blood Health 

From maternal health to pediatric neurodevelopment, speakers emphasized how early attention to iron deficiency can improve lifelong outcomes. Patient Blood Management – an evidence-based approach that focuses on preserving a patient’s own blood throughout care – offers a patient-centered solution to reduce harm and avoid unnecessary transfusions. And with the World Health Organization (WHO) PBM implementation guidelines now in place, the next step is turning best practices into standard practice worldwide.  

Advocacy in Action 

To elevate blood health globally and accelerate PBM implementation, participants emphasized several priorities: 

• Expand universal screening for iron deficiency, especially across at-risk populations.  

• Prioritize prevention over transfusion by diagnosing and treating anemia in advance of surgery or illness. 

• Invest in strong data-driven systems that embed analytics into every part of the patient’s journey, making outcomes tailored and personalized. 

• Translate WHO PBM implementation guidelines into national standards, making blood health a recognized component of patient care in the United States and worldwide. 

As one participant noted, anemia is often the “first domino piece” in Patient Blood Management. By addressing it early, health systems can build stronger, patient-centered care models that improve health outcomes for millions of patients.  

For more information on blood health and Patient Blood Management, read GAfPA’s Fast Facts: Chronic Disease, Anemia & Blood Health.