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Michigan Hemoglobinopathy Quality Improvement Program

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services - Division of Lifecourse Epidemiology and Genomics and partners developed a 3-year comprehensive public health plan to address the needs of individuals (children and adults) with hemoglobinopathies, particularly sickle cell disease (SCD) across the life span in October 2015. Although life expectancy for individuals with SCD has increased significantly during the past 40 years, there is still a need to find new ways of addressing the disease burden. Follow the link to learn more - A Public Health Strategic Plan to Address Sickle Cell Disease Across the Lifespan 2015-2018.

Michigan's Newborn Screening Program identifies about 60 newborns every year with SCD.  Early identification, coupled with antibiotic prophylaxis by three months of age through five and early intervention services, reduces health complications in babies and young children. Over the past several years, the Hemoglobinopathy Quality Improvement Program has increased capacity through a statewide sickle cell disease surveillance initiative funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), legislative support for CSHCS insurance benefit expansion, clinic grant-based awards and continuation of social support through a local community-based organizational network. Ongoing updates to this webpage are forthcoming as program initiatives are implemented. 

NEW! The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with the University of Michigan's Child Health Evaluation Research Center and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter, are excited to share our state's Sickle Cell Disease Partners Call to Action. There are multiple cross-cutting initiatives currently happening with many more on the horizon. We encourage you to share this document amongst your partners and to continue to stay involved as we move the outlined initiatives forward. 

Partners

  • Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, MI Chapter Inc. (SCDAA-MI)
    SCDAA-MI provides confirmatory diagnostic testing, genetic counseling, and social work services for individuals with sickle cell through a network of outreach sites in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Saginaw. 
  • Michigan Hemoglobinopathy Quality Improvement Committee (MIHemQIC)
    The MIHemQIC reviews diagnosis and treatment services for newborns and children with hemoglobinopathies.  This committee is one of nine condition-specific committees that provide quality assurance oversight to Michigan's Newborn Screening Program.

Data Highlights from the 2019 MDHHS Newborn Screening Annual Report

  • From 1987-2019, Michigan's Newborn Screening Program has identified 2,100 newborns with sickle cell conditions (SS, S/Bthal and SC disease); on average about 62 new cases per year.
  • The incidence is 1 in every 320 Black infants born in Michigan are affected with SCD.
  • Nearly 75% of Michigan newborns with SCD are born in Detroit/Ann Arbor metropolitan area, with the remaining births occurring primarily in the Saginaw, Flint, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Lansing and Jackson areas.
  • Each year we identify approximately 2,800 newborns with sickle cell trait.

Resources

Sickle Cell Pain Management Education Webinar for Healthcare Professionals: Produced by the Michigan Public Health Institute in partnership with Hemoglobinopathy Quality Improvement Committee and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Michigan. 1.5 Nursing Contact Hours. SCD Pain Management Course Flyer.

Region 4 Midwest Genetics Collaborative
  • Sickle Cell Trait: What You Need to Know
  • Hemoglobin C Trait
  • Hemoglobin D Trait
  • Hemoglobin E Trait
  • Variant Hemoglobin Trait 

  • MDHHS
    CDC

    For more information, contact:

    Mary Robinson, BSN, RN
    Special Projects Coordinator, Public Health Genomics Section
    MDHHS Lifecourse Epidemiology & Genomics Division
    robinsonm31@michigan.gov

    Last updated: April 12, 2022