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Focus Areas
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1. To determine the incidence, prevalence, and severity of SCD complications and adverse health conditions within the SCD cohort during five stages of development: the newborn period (birth to 6 months), the infant/pre-school stage (ages 6 months to 6 years), the early school stage (ages 6 to 12 years), the adolescent stage (ages 12 to 18 years), and the years of transition into young adulthood (ages 18 to 25 years).
2. To identify and evaluate risk factors for premature mortality and long-term morbidity in patients with SCD, including those related to disease-modifying therapies, end-organ damage, genetics, neurocognitive deficits, psychosocial factors, and behavioral causes.
3. To investigate the long-term effects of hydroxyurea and other therapies on preservation of organ function, growth and development, and frequency and severity of disease complications, and their long-term medical, neurocognitive, and psychosocial toxicities.
4. To determine the functional aspects of the Transition to Adult Care Program within a clinical research cohort by evaluating disease specific health literacy and readiness in relation to healthcare utilization during adult care.
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