Black Canadians Face Major Barriers to Donating Blood

Black Canadians who want to donate blood face significant systemic and institutional barriers, despite an urgent need for specific blood types to treat patients with sickle cell disease, according to new research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

Researchers from the University of Ottawa’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health interviewed 42 Black adults across Canada to examine the obstacles they encounter when attempting to donate blood. The study found that restrictive donation policies, experiences of racism in healthcare, historical anti-Black discrimination and a lack of trust in blood donation systems were among the major barriers.

Sickle cell disease primarily affects people of African, Middle Eastern and South Asian backgrounds and is often treated with red blood cell transfusions that require close matching. Researchers say the shortage of Black donors makes it difficult to meet the demand for compatible blood.

The study highlighted Canada’s restrictive policies as a particular concern. For example, previous malaria infections can prevent people from donating blood in Canada, while countries including the United States and France have eased similar restrictions.

Researchers said negative experiences with healthcare institutions and the legacy of anti-Black racism have contributed to mistrust and concerns about being treated unfairly during blood donation.

The authors called on Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec to address these barriers through policy changes, stronger community engagement and culturally informed communication campaigns aimed at increasing blood donations among Black Canadians.