AAPI Nexus: Policy, Practice and Community

Thalassemia is a potentially life-threatening genetic blood disease for which Asians in California are at highest risk, compared to other population groups. Mandatory screening at birth is how most cases are discovered. This paper focuses on chronic forms of thalassemia and what it means for patients and their families to live with the illness. The goal is to increase public awareness about thalassemia and to stimulate discussion about social interventions that might enable individuals to lead healthier lives.