In which population is sickle cell disease most prevalent?

Sickle cell disease is most prevalent in individuals of African descent due to the historical and geographic factors associated with malaria, which influenced the genetics of populations in sub-Saharan Africa. The sickle cell trait provides a protective advantage against severe malaria, leading to a higher frequency of the allele that causes sickle cell disease in these populations. As a result, the condition is significantly more common among African Americans compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

In contrast, the other populations mentioned, such as Hispanic, Caucasian, and Asian individuals, typically have a lower prevalence of sickle cell disease. These groups may carry the sickle cell trait but at much lower frequencies, primarily due to different historical exposure to malaria and resulting genetic selection pressures. Thus, the highest rates of sickle cell disease are observed in African American communities, making this the correct choice.