Here, the common rs11865131-A allele was associated with increased HBQ1 but decreased expression of other proximal genes, including the functional embryonic globin gene HBZ and nearby NPRL3. Regardless of the exact regulatory mechanisms, our study suggests that this haplotype could be an important modifier of CKD, SCD, malaria[46], or other phenotypes whose severity is modified by the −α3.7 deletion. Here, HBQ1 is linked to malaria.