An Estimate of Blood Donor Eligibility in the General Population

Abstract

To estimate the number of adults medically eligible to donate blood, the percent of the general population over the age of 16 deferrable by 13 current American Red Cross donor guidelines was calculated using the best available United States data. Categories examined included age, weight, hematocrit, pregnancy, blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes requiring insulin, male homosexual activity since 1977, intravenous drug use, sexual partner of high-risk group member, recent transfusion, history of cancer, and other (medical, surgical, travel history). Sex-specific total eligibility rates were estimated by serial multiplication of individual eligibility rates (1.0 minus deferral rates) to account for the proportionate overlap of independent categories, with corrections for expected associations between categories. The resultant eligibility rates for women (57%) and men (70%) indicate fewer eligible donors than commonly stated. Surrogate testing (ALT, anti-HBc) for non-A, non-B hepatitis would further reduce the percent of eligible donors to 55 and 67%, respectively. Based on the actual numbers of women and men in the population, these calculations indicate that an equal number of women and men are medically eligible to donate.

Quantifying losses to the donated blood supply due to donor deferral and miscollection

“…The impact of disease marker testing is well reported 2 ‐9 but other factors that determine the quantity of blood in the supply have received less attention. Six articles discuss the impact of donor selection on blood donation 10 ‐15 . Four of these articles were quantitative studies conducted in the US during the 1980s and 1990s 11,13‐15 and another article represents a quantitative study not conducted in the US 12 .…”

Predonation water ingestion attenuates negative reactions to blood donation

“…Although the overall blood supply is generally sufficient to meet demand, there are nonetheless serious intermittent shortages due to variations in regional demand, seasonal fluctuations in donations, and shortages of specific blood types 2 . Although it is estimated that more than half of all men and women in the US are eligible to donate blood, only five percent of the eligible population actually do so 3 . Therefore, ongoing recruitment and retention of new donors is crucial to maintaining an adequate blood supply.…”

Reducing reactions to blood donation with applied muscle tension: a randomized controlled trial

“…On the other hand, the discovery of new risk factors for donated blood has increased deferral rates as agencies institute stricter criteria for giving blood. At present, only approximately 67 percent of men and 55 percent of women in the United States are eligible to give blood 3 . Perhaps even more troubling are recent statistics indicating that it has become increasingly difficult to retain first‐time blood donors 4,5 .…”

“…Perhaps even more troubling are recent statistics indicating that it has become increasingly difficult to retain first‐time blood donors 4,5 . The percentage of people who give blood has always been low, typically estimated at approximately 5 percent of the population 3 . However, the continued commitment of many people who give blood on many occasions has ensured the stability of the blood supply 6 .…”