African-American reluctance to donate: Beliefs and attitudes about organ donation and implications for policy

This paper reviews current and suggested policies designed to increase orga n donation in the United States and indicates the problems inherent to thes e approaches for increasing organ donation by African Americans. Data from a population-based study assessing attitudes and beliefs about organ donati on among white and African-American respondents are presented and discussed . We pose the question of whether it is reasonable to maintain the existing system or whether we should institute a system that uses policies based on the attitudes and beliefs of a minority group that is in greater need than the majority. In light of the discussion, we suggest that the current poli cies guiding the organ procurement system are not adequate to address exist ing concerns within the African-American community and that a different set of assumptions may be needed to drive organ procurement policy.