Elevating Blood Health on World Anemia Awareness Day 

The Burden Falls Hardest on Those Already at Risk 

Anemia reduces the body’s ability to  carry oxygen , which leads to fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness and cognitive impacts. Too often, these symptoms are normalized or dismissed.  

Anemia disproportionately affects children under five, women of reproductive age, pregnant women, older adults and those living with chronic diseases. For pregnant women – nearly 40% of whom experience anemia globally – the condition increases the risk of complications during childbirth. In children, anemia can disrupt cognitive development.  

People living with chronic conditions such as cancer, chronic kidney disease or cardiovascular disease are at risk for anemia of inflammation – the second most common anemia after iron-deficiency. Anemia of inflammation can compound complications, worsen disease burdens and place a heavy strain on the health care system through increased hospitalizations and expenditures. Action is paramount to helping patients manage conditions and maintain their quality of life.  

Anemia is Being Overlooked 

In December 2025, the Global Alliance for Patient Access convened a stakeholder roundtable in Brussels, bringing together patient advocates and clinicians across a range of chronic diseases to discuss unmet needs in blood health. A clear consensus emerged: anemia is frequently overlooked in routine care, particularly for people living with chronic conditions, where symptoms like fatigue are often dismissed as inevitable rather than treatable.  

Participants emphasized that this lack of recognition delays diagnosis and treatment, allowing anemia to persist. They also highlighted the need for care pathways and policies that treat anemia as a condition requiring proactive management.  The outcomes and call to action from a similar discussion among US stakeholders will be published soon. 

Patient Blood Management Supports Earlier Detection  

One solution repeatedly emphasized during the roundtable was Patient Blood Management (PBM). The core of PBM is simple: a person’s own blood is best. In 2025, The WHO released guidance on PBM, described as a patient-centered approach that prioritizes early detection and treatment of anemia, while reducing avoidable blood loss and unnecessary transfusions. 

PBM reframes anemia as a preventable and manageable condition when identified early. Evidence shows that prioritizing anemia detection can improve patient outcomes, reduce complications and shorten hospital stays – benefits that matter to patients and health systems alike.  

Call to Action 

On World Anemia Awareness Day, GAfPA calls on policymakers, health care leaders and patient advocates to act on what patients and clinicians are already saying: anemia must be recognized, screened for and treated earlier – especially among at-risk populations.  

For more information on World Anemia Awareness Day, visit https://worldanemiaawareness.com/. To explore the importance of blood health in chronic conditions, read GAfPA’s Fast Facts on Chronic Disease, Anemia & Blood Health.