Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) and trans or non-binary individuals are two populations that are currently subject to blood donation deferral in Canada. Many within these identities have viewed these deferral policies as inequitable.

In order to address these ongoing issues, alternative donor screening questions and increased engagement with these groups are being proposed for consideration. Inequities in blood donation continue however, as a new generation of potential blood donors emerge to support the health care needs of an aging Canadian population.

The views of diverse youth on current donor screening policy and the proposed future changes must be investigated in order to ensure that equitable donation continues.

This team-based research project, led by Masters of Science in Health Sciences, Technology, and Policy candidates Katie Baker, Jaya Rastogi and Sebastian Steven, investigates the views of young adults in Canada on donor screening practices related to sex/gender and gbMSM donation. The investigation has a goal to assess the extent to which these views influence the desire to donate blood in order to inform future health policy.