Population-based genetic screening.

A preventive genetic programme aimed to control beta-thalassemia in the Sardinian population is based on a combination of increased awareness of the population, carrier screening, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. As a result, the registry of thalassemia major demonstrated a profound decline in the incidence of this disease from 1 per 250 to 1 per 1200 live births, with 90% of cases effectively prevented.