Tharus have been living in the plains, which were infested with malaria for thousands of years. Sickle cell has been found to be more prevalent in the malaria-affected areas, and the people with sickle-cell trait have been found to be more resistant to malaria.
Своё название серповидноклеточная анемия берёт от красных кровяных клеток аномальной формы, напоминающих серп .