In many developing countries the haemoglobinopathies (thalassaemias and sickle-cell disorder) are so common that they provide a convenient model for working out a genetic approach to control of chronic childhood diseases. At present, about 250 million people (4.5% of the world population) carry a potentially pathological haemoglobinopathy gene. Each year about 300,000 infants are born with major haemoglobinopathies. Haemoglobinopathy control programmes, based on WHO approaches and recommendations, have been established in different countries in all WHO Regions and have been successful in management of the problem. Following WHO recommendations the health burden of hereditary anaemias could be significantly reduced. This article summarizes the presentations and discussion made at a joint WHO/TIF (Thalassaemia International Federation) meeting, held in Cyprus in April 1993, and reviews the experience of programmes in several countries for the control of haemoglobinopathies in the world.