Experience of a sickle cell screening program in Baltimore.

The hemoglobinopathies constitute a major medical problem in the black community of Baltimore. A sickle cell service should be designed to discover, educate, and, if necessary, treat. Screening is sound preventive medicine and may serve to introduce the patient to the concept of continuing medical surveillance. The prevention of serious complications in patients with the more severe types of hemoglobinopathy should be a basic goal in the program.