Ask Dr. Hallberg: Testing for sickle cell anemia

Dr. Jon Hallberg
Dr. Jon Hallberg, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Medical Director at the University of Minnesota. He is a regular medical analyst on MPR's All Things Considered.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Jon Hallberg

Our medical analyst Dr. Jon Hallberg got a surprise recently from the NCAA.

The governing body of college sports is now requiring all Division I athletes to be tested for the gene for sickle cell anemia.

It's a condition that in this country predominantly affects African-Americans. Testing for it has historically been controversial.

Hallberg, our regular medical analyst, joined All Things Considered host Tom Crann to talk about the changes.

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