7^th Epidemiology and Public Health Conference

Biography

Biography: Félix Cantarovich

Abstract

Organ shortage depends on people's decision. However, persistent unfair dead awaiting organ transplantation, are expression that globally public remains unresponsive to this dramatic health problem. Paradoxically, although patient mortality waiting for organs increases each year, social education programs on organ donation have remained unchanged throughout the time. To donate is a gift of life persisted as the main slogan supporting people’s social education. It has been suggested that fear of death, mutilation, distrust of medical teams, hostility towards new ideas and religious uncertainties, are more relevant barriers to donation than lack of public education and information. Society must accept that organ donation is a moral responsibility. The concept that using organs of a deceased individual implies to sharing a source of health could be, with people’s understanding of the health crisis, a future social agreement. Education might reshape public opinion about organ donation. However, public programs proposing new suggestions should be attempted to improve social response towards organ donation. Suggestions to change people’s attitudes towards donation may include the following catchphrases: 1. During life, everybody may be a potential organ receptor. 2. The organs of the deceased are an irreplaceable source of health. 3. The body after death is a chance to share health with everyone. A survey has shown that the lack of knowledge of organ donation and transplants persists unchanged through the years in university medical education. Finally, in an attempt to improve the present reality, education in schools, colleges and universities, with programs that consider new encouraging options of organ donation social communication, should be seriously evaluated and put into practice by those responsible for international health education plans.