PURPOSE

The purpose is to increase organ donation in all ethnic groups

METHODS

The methodology was based upon the D.C. Organ Donor Program (1982-88) and the Dow Take Initiative Program (1986-92) local grass roots efforts that focused on increasing donation rates among African Americans (A.A.). Between 1982 and 1988 in the District of Columbia, A.A. donor card signings increased from 20/month to 750/month and Black donations doubled. A review of the data, (including face to face presentations and a nationwide Black donor media campaign) was conducted. Gallup Polls in 1985 and 1990 indicated a tripling of Blacks awareness of transplantation and the number of Blacks signing donor cards.Based on these successful methodologies, in 1991, a national program was established targeting African American, Hispanic, Asian, and other ethnic groups. A review of the United Network for Organ Sharing database between 1990 and 2010 was accomplished.

RESULTS

Total ethnic minority organ donors per million (O.D.M.) increased from 8-10 in 1982 to 35 O.D.M (African American and Latino/Hispanic) in 2002. National minority donor percentages increased from 15% to 28.5% of donors in 2002 (minorities comprised 25% of the USA population in 2000). Based on the data from UNOS, Blacks ranked number one in reference to organ donors per million. Blacks now represent 17% of donors and 13% of the U.S. population.

CONCLUSION

Based upon the data retrieved from the United Network for Organ Sharing in 2010, Blacks were ranked as the number one ethnic group of organ donors per million within the U.S.This indicates that when a campaign comprised with grass roots face to face presentations and interactions along with media reinforcement is used; donation rates can be increased and sustained. Emphasis on social media with the exclusion of face to face interaction may partially explain the decrease in other ethnic groups. The recommendation to overcome the decrease in ODM in the Latino/Hispanic, White and Asian ethnic groups in the face of the rising organ donor-recipient gap makes revitalization of the face to face grass roots methodology necessary in each population.

CITATION INFORMATION: Callender C, Koizumi N, Miles P, Melancon J. African Americans and Organ Donation: Where Do We Go After Moving from the Bottom to the Top? Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).

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