A resolution expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease.
This is a non-binding Senate resolution (S. Res. 416) expressing support for designating September 2025 as “Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.” Its purpose is to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease (SCD) and to highlight the ongoing need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs related to complications from SCD and conditions related to it. The resolution frames SCD as a significant inherited health issue with substantial medical and public health impacts, notes advances in treatment, and urges the public to participate in awareness-related programs and events during the designated month. It does not create new laws, funding, or mandatory requirements. The text provides context about SCD’s burden, including prevalence, health complications, and treatment advances (such as stem cell transplantation and gene therapies), and references ongoing policy developments aimed at improving access to emerging therapies. Its effect is primarily to acknowledge the issue and encourage awareness activities rather than to mandate actions or authorize spending.
Key Points
- 1Designation of September 2025 as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month to educate the public nationwide about SCD, its complications, and related conditions; emphasizes early detection, research, treatments, and preventative care.
- 2The Senate expresses support for the goals of the awareness month and encourages the public to hold programs, events, and activities to raise awareness about the sickle cell trait, preventative care, treatments, and patient services for those affected.
- 3SCD is described as an inherited blood disorder with many possible complications (anemia, jaundice, gallstones, strokes, organ damage, chronic pain) and a significant health impact, including impacts on life expectancy and birth prevalence in affected populations.
- 4Advances and care context noted in the resolution include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a curative option historically, FDA-approved gene therapies shown to cure SCD, and CMS initiatives to expand access to these therapies through outcomes-based contracting and broader patient access.
- 5The resolution underscores the ongoing need for additional research, new therapies, and broader patient access to proven treatments, as well as the importance of education around disease prevention and management.