Demographic modelling of haemoglobinopathies incidence in Germany: A call for targeted public health policy responses

In recent years, Germany has become one of the most popular destinations for international migrants and refugees, mostly from countries with a high prevalence of haemoglobinopathies. The concurrent lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, of systematic data, and of targeted screening carry the risk of disparities in patient care. In this context, a change in public health policy is urgently needed. In this article, we argue for a tailored prenatal screening algorithm supported by an analysis of open-source data showing a significant increase in pregnancies at risk of carrying a haemoglobinopathy. We also advocate for multifaceted interventions including the expansion of counselling services, healthcare professional education, community engagement and dedicated research funding to establish a robust framework for the management of haemoglobinopathies in Germany.