African Americans, religion, and organ donation
Rollins' Project ACTS (About Choice in Transplantation and Sharing) seeks to educate African Americans about the importance of organ donation.
African Americans represent 13% of the general population but more than one-third of those with end-stage renal disease. A transplant is most often the recommended treatment, but because of a shortage of organ donations, thousands of people die each year waiting for a transplant. The organ donation rate among African Americans is lower than is needed, and one reason is the perception that donation is contrary to religious beliefs, says Dana Robinson, who directs Rollins' Project ACTS (About Choice in Transplantation and Sharing).
"African Americans donate organs at rates equal to their representation in the U.S. population and not equal to their representation on the national waiting list," says Robinson.
Through a recent study, she and her colleagues, Nancy Thompson and Kimberly Jacob Arriola in Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, found that for African Americans who are Christian, religious norms have the strongest association in donation decision-making.
"The official position of most Christian religions is supportive of organ donation, but there is a disconnect between what is the truth from the perspective of a religious doctrine and what is perceived by parishioners," says Robinson, noting a perception that donation is contrary to religious beliefs.
The study could offer a new strategy for donation education efforts targeting African American parishioners.
