The results demonstrated overwhelming support for organ dona- tion across all racial groups. Racial differences were found on awareness of and attitudes.
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT ORGAN DONATION AMONG DIFFERENT RACIAL GROUPS Christine C. Yuen, William Burton, MA, Peter Chiraseveenuprapund, Erin Elmore, Susan Wong, Philip Ozuah, MD, and Michael Mulvihill, DrPH Bronx, New York
Many people on the waiting list for organ donation die each year without receiving organs. The shortage of organs is even more pronounced in minority communities. Despite the fact that minorities are at higher risk, they may be less likely to support or consent to organ donation. This investigation was undertaken to study racial factors in organ donation, by focusing on differences in awareness, attitudes, and behavior. Three family practice centers in the Bronx with racially diverse but socioeconomically homogenous communities were studied. The study population consisted of a convenience sample of 163 patients who were approached for participation while they waited to see a doctor. Respondents filled out a 25-item survey that measured demographic information; their exposure to, awareness of, and attitudes toward organ donation; and whether they had signed an organ donor card. The results demonstrated overwhelming support for organ donation across all racial groups. Racial differences were found on awareness of and attitudes toward organ donation, and in the signing of organ donation cards. In contrast to other studies, racial minorities were not less likely than whites to support organ donation. These results suggest that making it easier for racial minorities to obtain organ donor cards could increase their rates of consenting to donate organs. (J Natl Med Assoc. 1 998;90:1 3-1 8.)
Key words: organ donation * minorities As of November 1996, the names of more than 40,000 individuals were included on the United Network for Organ Sharing waiting list for organ donation. On average, however, only about 6000 to 9000 individuals become the recipients of donated organs in any given year (United Network for Organ Sharing, 1996, unpublished data).' Because of this From the Department of Family Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York. Requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr Michael Mulvihill, Dept of Family Medicine, Belfer 906, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY 10461. JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, VOL. 90, NO. 1
huge disparity, a significant proportion of the people on the list (eg, 3500 in 1995) die each year while waiting for organs. The shortage of organs is even more pronounced in minority communities. For example, due to their increased incidence of hypertension with end-stage renal disease, a disproportionately large number of African Americans await kidney transplants. Despite this greater risk, African Americans are less likely than other racial groups to support or consent to organ donation (Gallup, 1993, unpublished data).25 An additional concern is that African-American recipients face a decreased likelihood of successful transplantation due to poor tissue match if the donor is not also African American.6 Although Hispanic 13
ORGAN DONATIONS AMONG RACIAL GROUPS
Table 1. Demographic Characteristics* Characteristic % Mean aget (years) 36.5 Gender Female 76 Male 24 Ethnic group Hispanic 36 African American 29 27 White 2 Asian 7 Other Attendance of religious services 51
