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U.S. blood donations fall to lowest levels in 20 years

January 19, 2024

The American Red Cross reports an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood. Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%.

Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in. In recent weeks, the Red Cross says it's had to limit distributions of type O blood products— among the most transfused blood types—to hospitals. (American Red Cross, 2024)

In particular, the percentage of teens and young adults donating blood has steadily fallen since 2013. From 2019 to 2021, the federal National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey found that blood donations among 16- to 18-year-olds dropped by 60%. And donations among 19- to 24-year-olds dropped by nearly a third. (Edwards, 2024)

Experts say that changes to the requirements for blood donors in 2015, including new hemogloblin and height and weight requirements, resulted in a deferral status for high school-age donors who never returned when they did qualify. The COVID-19 pandemic also made it difficult for agencies to easily recruit donors via blood drives from one location since many students and workers were now dispersed and working at home. (Edwards, 2024)

When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations—such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone—can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. (American Red Cross, 2024)

This year, the Red Cross is offering anyone who gives blood a chance to win Super Bowl tickets. In the spring of 2023, an American Red Cross campaign involving a white T-shirt with the likeness of Snoopy wearing shades and leaning effortlessly against the iconic American Red Cross logo prompted a surge in blood donations by more than 70,000 people under the age of 35. (Edwards, 2024)

Sources:

(2024, January 8). American Red Cross. Red Cross: Emergency Blood Shortage May Delay Medical Procedures. https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/north-texas/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/red-cross--emergency-blood-shortage-may-delay-medical-procedures.html

Edwards, E. (2024, January 14). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/blood-donations-are-falling-catastrophic-levels-young-people-need-step-rcna133430