NHLBI Report Examines Motivation, Barriers Among Black Blood Donors

A new report from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Blood Diseases and Disorders Education Program explores motivators and obstacles to blood donation among Black or African American adults. The report includes findings from 12 different focus groups of adults ages 18 to 50 who have different blood donation experiences.

The report describes how trusted sources of information vary within the community and how historic mistrust of the medical system continues to be a barrier to blood donation. Furthermore, the report explores the factors driving blood donor motivation and outlines key messaging and materials aimed at overcoming these barriers.

Specifically, participants emphasized the importance of representation, requesting visuals depicting individuals who resemble them engaged in blood donation. They also highlighted the need for educational resources featuring Black or African American medical professionals to dispel misconceptions surrounding blood donation. Additionally, focus groups expressed a desire for information regarding the impact of blood donation on individuals living with sickle cell disease, which is most common in Black or African American communities, and access to facts and statistics regarding blood donation.