The Facts
Anemia is a condition where the number of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood is lower than normal. RBCs transport oxygen throughout the body, so a shortage of these cells can be serious.
Iron-deficiency anemia is very common, affecting children and women of all ages - especially women who are menstruating. It's estimated that at least one-fifth of all women in North America have iron-poor blood.
Sickle cell anemia is another well-known type of anemia. This condition affects several million people worldwide. People most commonly affected include those of African descent, Middle Eastern descent, Mediterranean descent, and South Asian descent. It affects about 80,000 African-Americans. Every year, 1 in 12 African-American babies are born with a genetic potential to pass sickle cell anemia on to their children. It's estimated that 1 baby out of 400 among African-Americans will have the disease.
Aplastic anemia is a form of anemia where the bone marrow stops producing blood cells. This type of anemia is very serious, but fortunately, it's rare. It affects 2 to 12 out of every million people each year. Aplastic anemia occurs in both adults and children.
Anemia of chronic disease is a mild form of anemia that occurs with people who have diseases that last more than 1 to 2 months. Such diseases include tuberculosis, HIV, cancer, kidney disease, rheumatologic disorders, and liver disease.