FRIDAY, Sept. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Significant distrust of the
health-care system is a major reason why black Americans donate
blood at lower rates than whites, says a new study.
Researchers at the New York Blood Center in New York City
analyzed the responses of 930 black participants in Atlanta who
completed an 81-question survey.
The results showed that 17 percent of the participants do not
trust hospitals. This lack of trust was associated with not
donating blood, lack of knowledge about the blood supply, and not
wanting to take part in research.
Respondents who said they did trust hospitals were less
reluctant to donate blood, knew more about the blood supply, and
were more likely to respond to the blood needs of the
community.
The study was published Sept. 10 in the journal
Transfusion.
"Blood centers and hospitals need to build trust with the African American community," study leader Dr. Beth H. Shaz, chief medical officer of the New York Blood Center, said in a journal news release. "Increased trust will result in increased blood donor rates, increased participation in research, and increased medical knowledge."
More information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about
blood donation.