The Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management (SABM) and WFSA join forces to celebrate World Anemia Awareness Day on 13 February. SABM’s Linda Shore-Lesserson and Matthew Warner highlight how partnerships like this can improve patient outcomes.
The Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management (SABM) and WFSA have teamed with Human Touch Media Foundation (HTMF) to celebrate World Anemia Awareness Day, recognized on 13 February. A 24-hour “Anemiathon” with participation from individuals and societies from across the globe brings attention to efforts to decrease the global burden of anemia.
Anemia, a condition characterized by insufficient red blood cells or hemoglobin to support oxygen delivery to tissues and other aspects of normal functioning, affects billions of people worldwide. In fact, anemia is a leading cause of disability worldwide and must be recognized as a critical global health challenge. By empowering patients through education and outreach, patient-centered organizations such as SABM and WFSA are reshaping how anemia is prevented and managed worldwide, especially in underserved communities.
Focus on Education and Awareness
Anemia often goes undiagnosed, especially in low-resource areas where access to healthcare may be limited. Anemia is estimated to affect half a billion women 15–49 years of age and 269 million children 6–59 months of age. Estimates suggest that one in four people globally has anemia. That includes 30% of women and almost 40% of children worldwide. In both children and adults, the leading cause of anemia is iron deficiency, which primarily occurs secondary to insufficient dietary iron intake and/or bleeding-related iron losses. Although iron deficiency is not always accompanied by anemia, iron deficiency is responsible for 2/3 of all cases of anemia globally. Women of reproductive age are at highest risk due to menstrual bleeding and obstetric blood loss. There are education and communication gaps surrounding blood loss during menstruation, including cultural and societal pressures to ignore important aspects of women’s health. As such, iron deficiency is often overlooked in those at highest risk, and treatments go undiscussed.
In the developing fetus and in young children, anemia can impact brain development and cognition. Anemia prevention and early treatment are crucial. This might mean accessing high-quality, nutrient-rich foods and/or receiving treatment for infectious diseases that affect blood counts. Anemia may also have profound impacts on physical function and mental health, including higher rates of anxiety and depression. Anemia is accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and mental clouding that can interfere with participation in school, work, and other social activities. In those of childbearing potential, anemia is associated with increased rates of preterm labor, postpartum hemorrhage, low birthweight, short gestation, stillbirth, and peripartum infection.
Fortunately, anemia is often preventable and treatable. One of the core initiatives of World Anemia Awareness Day is raising awareness about anemia and its risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options. In addition to educational activities and social media outreach to raise awareness amongst the general public, SABM and WFSA support initiatives to educate and train healthcare workers to successfully diagnose and treat anemia. Through these initiatives, we hope to create a more informed global population, ensuring that people are aware of the causes and signs of anemia and understand when to seek medical attention.
A Global Impact with Local Solutions
While SABM’s mission is global, effective patient blood management (PBM; a patient-centered approach to improve outcomes by managing and preserving a patient’s own blood) requires solutions tailored to local needs. That’s why SABM partners with multiple organizations throughout the world and on every continent. This ensures that PBM education and interventions are based on local health infrastructure, cultural beliefs, and available resources. In today’s world, technology is playing a crucial role in revolutionizing healthcare, and anemia management is no exception. Through industry partnerships, SABM seeks cutting-edge technologies to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of anemia. Through mobile health applications and telemedicine, healthcare access may be extended to those residing in even the most remote areas.
A Vision for the Future
With a commitment to innovation, education, and patient empowerment, SABM is paving the way for a future where anemia is no longer a neglected condition but one that is actively prevented and managed. By partnering with organizations such as WFSA, we are ensuring that patients across the world are at the center of every decision that affects their blood health. With organizations like SABM and WFSA leading the way, patients are not just treated—they are empowered, educated, and engaged in their health. This patient-centered approach is a beacon of hope, bringing transformative change to billions around the world who suffer from this condition.
Linda Shore-Lesserson MD, SABM President
Matthew Warner MD, SABM President-Elect
