Blood donation programs must change in response to population ageing and becoming more ethnically diverse
Lifeblood, a branch of the Australian Red Cross, has supplied clinically critical blood products for more than 90 years and continues to maintain the highest standards of quality and safety. In this issue of the MJA, Lifeblood researchers Hirani, Weinert and Irving report their findings on the prevalence of ABO RhD blood groups in the community, including the increasing proportion of RhD‐positive first‐time blood donors, reflecting the changing ethnic make‐up of the Australian population.1
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Hirani R, Weinert N, Irving DO. The distribution of ABO RhD blood groups in Australia, based on blood donor and blood pathology data. Med J Aust 2022; 216: 291–295.
- 2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Older people: overview. Updated 30 Nov 2021. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports‐data/population‐groups/older‐people/overview (viewed Feb 2022).
- 3. Jahr JS, Guinn NR, Lowery DR, et al. Blood substitutes and oxygen therapeutics: a review. Anesth Analg 2020; 132: 119–129.
- 4. International Society of Blood Transfusion. Red cell immunogenetics and blood group terminology. https://www.isbtweb.org/working‐parties/red‐cell‐immunogenetics‐and‐blood‐group‐terminology (viewed Feb 2022).
- 5. Linder GE, Chou ST. Red cell transfusion and alloimmunization in sickle cell disease. Haematologica 2021; 106: 1805–1815.
- 6. Kaka S, Jahangirnia A, Beauregard N, et al. Red blood cell transfusion in myelodysplastic syndromes: a systematic review. Transfus Med 2022; 32: 3–23.
- 7. Panch SR, Montemayor‐Garcia C, Klein HG. Hemolytic transfusion reactions. N Engl J Med 2019; 38: 150–162.
- 8. Kato GJ, Piel FB, Reid CD, et al. Sickle cell disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2018; 4: 18010.
- 9. Thornton NM, Grimsley SP. Clinical significance of antibodies to antigens in the ABO, MNS, P1PK, Rh, Lutheran, Kell, Lewis, Duffy, Kidd, Diego, Yt, and Xg blood group systems. Immunohematology 2019; 35: 95–101.
We especially acknowledge Joanne Pink (Chief Medical Officer, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood) for her advice for this editorial.
No relevant disclosures.