RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Blood Donation Rates in the United States 1999–2016: From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine JO J Am Board Fam Med FD American Board of Family Medicine SP 746 OP 748 DO 10.3122/jabfm.2019.05.180378 VO 32 IS 5 A1 Twarog, John P. A1 Russo, Ashley T. A1 McElroy, Tara C. A1 Peraj, Elizabet A1 McGrath, Martin P. A1 Davidow, Austin C. YR 2019 UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/32/5/746.abstract AB Background: Although there have been analyses on the qualities associated with individuals who chose to repeatedly donate blood, there is little known about national blood donation rates in the United States. To address this lack of information, this article uses data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) to assess changes in the national rates of blood donation among adults aged 20 years and older.Methods: Data was collected from 49,512 US adults aged 20 years and older who were surveyed from 1999 to 2016 through the NHANES. Individuals selected for inclusion in NHANES underwent an in-home interview, where they were asked whether or not they participated in blood donation in the past 12 months. Data were analyzed with SAS and Wald-chi square tests were used to assess trends in recent blood donations.Results: The overall recent blood donation rate has hovered around 6% since 1999, with no significant change during that time period. Over the last 2 decades, the percentage of individuals aged 20 to 29 years with a recent blood donation has increased significantly. During the same time period, the percentage of individuals aged 30 to 39 years and individuals with a 4-year college degree or greater with a recent blood donation decreased significantly.Conclusions: Although the national blood donation rate has not changed significantly, significant changes in donation rates have occurred among a number of US subpopulations.