Haemoglobin Cutoffs for Anaemia: Clinical and Public Health Implications

Abstract

Anaemia is a global public health problem affecting individuals and populations across the globe. Properly diagnosing anaemia and determining its type are important in guiding appropriate interventions and public health strategies. In this review article, we highlight the importance of understanding the cutoff points for haemoglobin concentration in anaemia diagnosis among clinicians and public health professionals. This review investigates the role of haemoglobin in identifying anaemia, establishing cut-off values that are applicable, as well as discussing the population health management implications of haemoglobin thresholds. Also discussed herein are WHO guidelines for defining anaemia based on haemoglobin cutoffs including adjustment for external factors and classification according to their public health significance.