Decline in Organ Donations in the U.S.

For several years, the decline in the number of organs donated by living donors has been offset by increasing organ donations from deceased donors. However, for the first time in years, the number of organs donated by deceased donors dropped in 2008.

This decrease in organ donations may be attributable to the following factors:

• Insurance companies refusing to cover donation costs
• Poor public education regarding organ donations
• Lack of knowledge regarding the organ centers’ abilities to judge organ quality competently

While organ donations are decreasing, the demand for organ transplants continues to grow.

See Andy Dworkin, Organ Donations After Death Fell in 2008, Reversing a Trend, The Oregonian, March 22, 2010.