Sickle cell disease: nearly 50% of patients receive poor care, says global study

Healthy blood cells are seen along with diseased cells. About 300,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Photograph: Science Picture Co/Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RM

Nearly half of people with sickle cell disease do not have their condition taken seriously, according to a landmark survey.

About 48% of patients who took part in research looking at the experiences of people living with the hereditary blood disorder said they were treated like drug addicts when they tried to get emergency pain relief.