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Blood Donor Incentives across 63 Countries: The BEST Collaborative Study

Graf, Caroline; Oteng-Attakorac, Krystal; Ferguson, Eamonn; Vassalloe, Ralph; Merz, Eva-Maria

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Authors

Caroline Graf

Krystal Oteng-Attakorac

EAMONN FERGUSON eamonn.ferguson@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Health Psychology

Ralph Vassalloe

Eva-Maria Merz



Abstract

Incentives for blood donors are a much-debated strategy intended to ensure a sufficient supply of blood. Yet, there is a fundamental lack of knowledge about which incentives are offered by different blood collectors. We provide a comprehensive description of incentive policies for whole blood donors across 63 countries and 50 states of the United States. We collected data on incentive policies by conducting two surveys among representatives of blood collection establishments. Additionally, we integrated incentive data from an existing study and the World Health Organization (WHO). Lastly, we performed a web content analysis of blood collector websites and news releases to extend incentive data for the United States as well as underrepresented regions. We present descriptive analyses illustrating the type and value of incentives and their geographical distribution around the globe. Approximately half of the countries in our sample employ financial incentives, which include cash and tax benefits, but also less conventional incentives, such as healthcare supplements and raffles. Time off work is also commonly offered to blood donors and varies across blood collection establishments in duration and whether it is granted to all donors or only to those whose employer allows it. There is a geographical clustering of incentives, such that neighboring countries are more likely to employ similar incentives. This study provides insights into the strategies used for incentivizing blood donation and highlights the global diversity of incentive policies for whole blood donors. In stark contrast to WHO guidelines, half of the countries surveyed employ some kind of high-value incentive for blood donors. More realistic guidelines that are adapted to the local cultural and institutional context may be needed to maintain an adequate blood supply.

Citation

Graf, C., Oteng-Attakorac, K., Ferguson, E., Vassalloe, R., & Merz, E.-M. (2024). Blood Donor Incentives across 63 Countries: The BEST Collaborative Study. Transfusion Medicine Reviews, 38(2), Article 150809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmrv.2023.150809

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 9, 2023
Online Publication Date Dec 16, 2023
Publication Date 2024-04
Deposit Date Dec 21, 2023
Publicly Available Date Jan 15, 2024
Journal Transfusion Medicine Reviews
Print ISSN 0887-7963
Electronic ISSN 1532-9496
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 38
Issue 2
Article Number 150809
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmrv.2023.150809.
Keywords Incentives; Cross-country analysis; Whole blood donation
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/28713638
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887796323000998

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