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Understanding Blood Health

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The Global Alliance for Patient Access (GAfPA) has recently released a new resource entitled “Fast Facts: Chronic Disease, Anemia, and Blood Health,” addressing the extensive impact of anemia, particularly in its association with chronic diseases.

The FAQ document considers both the burden of anemia and the benefits of prioritizing blood health through Patient Blood Management.  Key points addressed include: 

  • Worldwide Prevalence of Anemia: An estimated 2 billion people globally suffer from anemia, with the condition predominantly affecting women. This widespread prevalence poses substantial challenges not only to the health and quality of life of individuals but also impacts economic productivity on a global scale. 
  • Risk Facts and Chronic Conditions: The resource highlights that anemia frequently occurs alongside chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. These conditions intensify the difficulty of managing blood health, exacerbating the severity of anemia and complication its treatment. 
  • Advocating Patient Blood Management (PBM): Patient Blood Management is a proactive approach to combating anemia linked to chronic illnesses. PBM prioritizes the preservation and careful management of a patient’s own blood across all stages of medical care. It includes screening for anemia and iron deficiency, and customizing treatment plans based on individual risk assessments, aimed at efficiently managing blood loss during medical interventions.   

In conclusion the Fast Facts notes that chronic disease stakeholders have the opportunity to address the burden anemia by prioritizing blood health and through Patient Blood Management. Through adoption of PBM it is possible to improve clinical outcomes and elevate the quality of people with chronic conditions. 

To read “Fast Facts: Blood Health & Anemia”, click here.