For Lana Quarles, the lack of quality of life in the United States has led her to search for another place to live. In addition to her family’s mental health and overall well-being, a top priority is improving the standard of living for her child, who is living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

“What we’ve found [through traveling in the military and for businesses] is our quality of life is better in other countries, from food to overall peace,” Quarles tells Travel Noire. “We’ve been utilizing natural and medical [remedies] to improve our young warrior’s life.”

Quarles’s young son, who is under the age of 10, is one of the more than eight million people worldwide and 100,000 in the United States living with SCD, which is a hereditary blood disorder that affects the production of red blood cells. While it’s most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, SCD disproportionately affects people of African ancestry, along with people from South Asia, the Mediterranean, and those of Hispanic/Latin American backgrounds. In the United States, for example, 90% of people diagnosed with SCD identify as Black.

For Black people in the U.S., the quality of care significantly impacts treatment for a range of diseases, including SCD. Systemic factors like racial bias, inadequate access to specialized care, and provider stigma can result in delayed or substandard care. The consequences can be dire, including increased suffering, a decreased quality of life, and a shortened lifespan. That’s why families like the Quarles are considering treatment elsewhere.

Destinations That Make Sense For Sickle Cell Disease

Patients living with SCD should consider living in warmer climates because they can help reduce the frequency and severity of painful episodes known as vaso-occlusive crises. Cold weather, on the other hand, is a common trigger for people living with SCD.

When the body is exposed to freezing temperatures, blood vessels naturally constrict and narrow in response to the cold. This process is called vasoconstriction. It’s the body’s response to help conserve heat. For patients with sickle cell disease, who are already prone to becoming stiff, this constriction makes it even harder for blood to flow freely through the vessels. This could lead to vascular blockages that slow circulation, resulting in a painful crisis.

Sickle cell patients also need to consider destinations that experience rapid temperature changes, such as transitioning from a warm home to frigid outside temperatures. Research from Virginia Commonwealth University indicates that individuals with sickle cell disease living in warmer climates experience a reduced overall risk of vaso-occlusive crises, improved blood circulation, and a more active lifestyle, which contributes to overall health and better circulation.

Cities such as San Diego, Fort Lauderdale, Medellin, Colombia, and Cape Town, South Africa are all excellent cities for people with SCD. These destinations have a temperate climate and are consistently warm year-round without drastic changes. Another positive for people living with SCD is that these are bigger cities, and healthcare staff are likely to be exposed to caring for people with SCD.

Cities such as Fargo, North Dakota; Oklahoma City; Denver; and Anchorage, Alaska, are not recommended for individuals living with SCD. Neither are cities in Northern Europe and the UK, because the colder temperatures have proven to be a risk factor for a crisis.

Wellness Retreats And Activities That Support Healing For Sickle Cell Patients

The Sickle Cell Association of Texas Marc Thomas Foundation organizes an annual retreat designed explicitly for sickle cell patients, called Empowering Sickle Cell Adults through Patient Empowerment [ESCAPE]. The in-person yearly retreat is held in Texas and is specifically for adults living with SCD who are 20 years or older.

ESCAPE is a unique and holistic health experience. The retreat enables adults to engage in peer support, receive disease management education, learn about upcoming trials, explore pain management tools, and access mental health support, among other benefits. Participants also have the opportunity to indulge in yoga, spa treatments, rock climbing, creative arts, and meditation.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health suggest that integrative approaches offer benefits for pain management, which can help patients with SCD. Yoga retreats, chronic pain retreats, massage therapy, acupuncture, and virtual reality can all help SCD patients. It’s essential to consult your healthcare provider for any medical care.

Travel Guidance With Sickle Cell Disease

For Quarles and her son, living with SCD means she has to take extra time to travel. Her travel plans include preparation and avoiding certain altitudes.

For people living with SCD, like Quarles’s son, patients should schedule a pre-travel appointment to discuss the specific risks and needs associated with their condition. Also, have a copy of your medical summary with you at all times.

During the trip, staying hydrated is extremely important to prevent a sickle cell crisis. Wear compression socks to reduce the risk of blood clots, move around regularly in flight, and request extra oxygen from the airline in advance if you have a history of acute chest syndrome, low oxygen levels, or a low blood count.

Plane cabins can be cold, so be sure to manage your environment. Dress in warm clothing, use a blanket, and pack any added comforts into your carry-on. One of the most essential actions patients can take is purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers SCD, including the cost of an air ambulance to return home or for an unexpected illness abroad, especially if you are living as an expat, as the Quarles family plans to do.

While a better quality of life overall and food quality are high on the family’s list, so is access to critical medical care. Their top choices for relocating are Japan, Spain, and Thailand.

Quarles adds, “[Our son] is ecstatic about moving. We don’t have a date, but more pieces to the puzzle that need to be in place before relocating.”

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