Sickle cell disease can be deadly, and the persistent health inequities facing Black Americans worsen the problem

People with the disease frequently visit the emergency room and are hospitalized for pain control. Sometimes, these acute pain episodes are excruciating and last up to 11 days. But often, doctors and nurses do not believe their complaints and requests for strong medications to stop the pain. Instead, they may suspect drug-seeking behavior, deny them pain medicines and label them drug addicts...

https://theconversation.com/sickle-cell-disease-can-be-deadly-and-the-persistent-health-inequities-facing-black-americans-worsen-the-problem-212434