A Public Health Approach to the Prevention of Inhibitors in Hemophilia

• Published in: American journal of preventive medicine Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 669 - 673
• Main Authors: Soucie, J. Michael, PhD, Miller, Connie H., PhD, Kelly, Fiona M., MPH, Oakley, Meredith, DVM, MPH, Brown, Deborah L., MD, Kucab, Phillip, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01-11-2014
• Subjects: Community Networks; Hemophilia A - epidemiology; Hemophilia A - therapy; Humans; Internal Medicine; Population Surveillance; Public Health - methods; Risk Factors; United States - epidemiology; United States
• ISSN: 0749-3797; 1873-2607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014.07.007

The development of an antibody in people with hemophilia to products used in the treatment and prevention of bleeding, also referred to as an inhibitor, is the most serious complication of hemophilia care today. CDC, together with healthcare providers, consumer organizations, hemophilia organizations, and federal partners, has developed a public health agenda to prevent the development of inhibitors. This paper describes a public health approach that combines a national surveillance program with epidemiologic, laboratory, and prevention research to address knowledge gaps in rates and risk factors for inhibitor development, and in knowledge and behaviors of patients and providers, in addition to screening and treatment practices.