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. 1999 Feb;89(2):244–247. doi: 10.2105/ajph.89.2.244

The influence of race on approaching families for organ donation and their decision to donate.

E Guadagnoli 1, P McNamara 1, M J Evanisko 1, C Beasley 1, C O Callender 1, A Poretsky 1
PMCID: PMC1508526  PMID: 9949758

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether patients' race was associated with their families' being approached for organ donation and agreeing to donation. METHODS: Logistic regression models were applied to data collected from records at 112 hospitals. RESULTS: The odds that a family of a White patient was approached for donation were nearly twice those for a family of an African American. The odds of donation also differed by race, but the magnitude varied by patient and hospital characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Much attention directed toward racial disparity in donation has focused on attitudes of the public. The behavior of hospital staff also may be related to differences in rates.

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Selected References

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