Blood donation levels among young people in the United States have declined sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the nation’s blood supply. While donations have rebounded among older age groups, a significant drop has been observed in donors aged 16 to 24 and 25 to 34, according to recent analyses by Blood Centers of America.

The pandemic, which began in 2020, halted high school and university blood drives—key sources for introducing young people to the practice of blood donation. These drives traditionally serve not only as critical donation venues but also as an educational touchpoint. Since they have been slow to return to campuses, experts feared many young Americans would miss the opportunity to develop regular donation habits. Data comparing pre-pandemic years (2017–2019) with recent figures (2022–2024) revealed a 37% decline in donors aged 16 to 24 and a 22% decline among those aged 25 to 34. Meanwhile, donor numbers increased among older populations, including a 15% rise in donors aged 55 to 64 and a 72% increase in those 73 and older.

Jennifer Kapral, vice president of enterprise data strategy at Blood Centers of America, described this as a “generational fracture” that extends beyond the immediate effects of the pandemic. She emphasized the challenge of re-engaging young donors after losing what she called the “first entry point” through school-based drives. The concern is that without renewed participation from younger generations, the blood supply could face future shortages as the current donor base ages.

Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers, expressed similar worries about an aging donor population. She referenced the so-called “silver tsunami,” a phenomenon where many long-time donors eventually become patients themselves, further straining blood supplies. Fry noted that although America’s Blood Centers does not impose a strict upper age limit on donors, medical conditions and medications tend to increase deferrals among older individuals. She also pointed out that overall blood donation rates in the U.S. remain low, with only about 3% of the population donating annually.

Amid these challenges, experts highlight the importance of adapting outreach strategies to engage younger cohorts, who may not respond to traditional messaging. Armando Romero, associate director of transfusion medicine at Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles, noted that blood donation is a “learned behavior,” often influenced by peer encouragement and familiarity with donation sites. The pandemic’s disruption removed many opportunities for young people to gain this experience, potentially increasing anxiety about the process.

The shift in work habits and community ties due to remote work and migration patterns also reduced the frequency of workplace blood drives, further complicating recruitment efforts. Activists and professionals in the field suggest that more targeted, digitally savvy communication—such as social media outreach—may be necessary to connect with Generation Z and younger millennials. Positivity in messaging, emphasizing the direct impact of donations on patients’ lives, has been recommended to foster lifelong donation habits.

Although the American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis during the summer as supplies reached a four-year low, officials say the situation has since stabilized. Still, the consensus among experts is that replacing the aging donor base with younger, committed donors is essential to maintaining an adequate and reliable blood supply moving forward.