Racial disparities in preferences and perceptions regarding organ donation.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To identify reasons for lower organ donation rates by African Americans, we examined knowledge and attitudes about brain death, donation, and transplantation and trust in the health care system.

Methods

Data were collected from 1,283 subjects in Ohio using a random digit dial telephone survey. Items were developed based on focus group results. Willingness-to-donate indicators included a signed donor card and willingness to donate one's own and a loved one's organs.

Results

Compared with whites, African-Americans had lower rates of signing a donor card (39.1% vs 64.9%, P < .001), and willingness to donate their own organs (72.6% vs 88.3%, P < .001) or a loved one's organs (53.0% vs 66.2%, P < .001). African Americans had lower scores on the Trust in the Heal

SUBMITTER: Siminoff LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1831604 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature