Publications by authors named "Sonja Banks"
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder most common among African American and Hispanic American persons. The disease can cause substantial, long-term, and costly health problems, including infections, stroke, and kidney failure, many of which can reduce life expectancy. Disparities in receiving health care among African Americans and other racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States are well known and directly related to poor outcomes associated with SCD.
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- - Community health workers are becoming essential in enhancing health care for chronic conditions by providing support, guidance, and counseling, especially in underserved populations.
- - Despite their effectiveness in other health areas, community health worker interventions have not been specifically evaluated for sickle cell disease, which faces unique care challenges due to systemic inequalities and complex patient needs.
- - The authors suggest that implementing community health worker case management for sickle cell disease could significantly improve care outcomes and quality of life, advocating for a national effort to build a skilled workforce in this area.