(WAVY) — Just one year after Gov. Glenn Youngkin passed HB 252 into law, mandating the creation of a statewide sickle cell registry, the Virginia Department of Health has begun launching its first phase.

VDH introduced the statewide sickle cell registry to health systems last month as part of the two-phase roll out and is strongly encouraging patients to participate.

"It's going to be very hard for us to be able to tailor interventions to those people living with sickle cell disease because we just don't have the data," said Marcus Allen, VDH health care needs special program director.

The registry's focus is to improve overall medications, treatment options and find better care solutions for patients in Virginia.

"Nationwide, the CDC has made collection of data for sickle cell disease

See Full Page