Economics of Sickle Cell Anemia Screening: A Saudi Case Study

Saudi Arabia's efforts to address sickle cell disease (SCD) underscore a pressing public health concern, with high prevalence in certain regions placing a substantial burden on the national healthcare system.

High prevalence of sickle cell disease in several Saudi regions warrants robust public health interventions, as described by the national premarital screening program overview. Reducing the likelihood of affected births through carrier identification and counseling not only benefits patient and family health but also lessens pressure on healthcare resources and the broader economy.

By adopting mandatory premarital screening, Saudi Arabia aims to inform couples’ reproductive choices and may reduce the risk of affected births, with potential downstream savings in healthcare spending. The implementation of mandatory premarital screening in Saudi Arabia—covering hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and thalassemia—leverages genetic counseling and testing to reduce the risk of affected births.

From an economic perspective, modeling indicates that implementing premarital carrier screening can lower projected lifetime treatment costs compared with no screening. A recent economic evaluation set in Saudi Arabia reported that premarital carrier screening for hemoglobinopathies is cost-effective compared with no screening, with modeled lifetime treatment costs and disability avoided outweighing program expenses.

Building on established outcomes, expanded carrier panels and next-generation sequencing could enhance premarital screening by detecting rarer hemoglobinopathy variants and clarifying carrier status, potentially strengthening prevention and budgeting efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• Saudi Arabia's premarital screening program aims to inform couples and may reduce the risk of affected births, supporting a public health approach to SCD prevention.
• A focus on preventive healthcare through screening can reduce projected lifetime treatment costs, reinforcing economic sustainability.
• Genetic counseling and early carrier identification are central tools for minimizing chronic disease impacts on healthcare systems.
• Integrating expanded carrier screening and genomic technologies presents an opportunity to enhance prevention and planning.