Working in the preparedness, response and recovery phases, we deliver rapid, usable intelligence for principled humanitarian action in complex environments. We deploy field-based personnel to provide insights that can shape interventions in real time, and provide remote support by accessing global networks of social scientists with both regional and thematic expertise.
Sickle cell anaemia, a very common congenital haemoglobin anomaly in Africa, is a natural defence against malaria, but unfortunately carries with it is own secondary problems of anaemia, joint problems and possible liver damage in later life.
The anomalous haemoglobin molecule makes the cells take on a sickle shape and become inflexible; this is what causes the joint problems and liver damage as the bad news, but the good news is that cells such as these are not able to be parasitized by the malaria plasmodium, so giving a degree of immunity against this killer. Were it not for the relatively common occurrence of the HbS variant, the deaths from malaria in Sub Saharan Africa would be occurring in even greater numbers.
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