health & wellness
With over 2,000 individuals in Louisiana waiting on life saving organ transplants, educating our community about saving and enhancing lives through organ donation is crucial.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
The gap between the demand for organ transplants and the supply of donated organs is the number one problem in transplantation as a whole. Yet, the disparity is much greater in multiethnic communities. In Louisiana, 68% of the waitlist is multiethnic--that is higher than the national average of 60%.
Our healthy communities initiative is a grassroots public health effort to address the particular health needs of our underserved populations due to socioeconomic and geographic barriers. Multiethnic communities have disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease--all of which contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. In Louisiana, this group makes up over 70% of those who are waiting for kidney transplant.
We are dedicated to developing and supporting the needs of our diverse communities through grassroots public health efforts all across Louisiana. Access LOPA's reliable resource guide to gain information about healthy living, wellness tips, dialysis prevention, living donation, transplants and more.
“The need for donation and transplant is more pronounced in multiethnic communities. They have disproportionately higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease--all of which contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. This group makes up over 70% of those who are waiting for kidney transplant.”
-- Cheryl with LOPA
Register to save and heal lives.
Registering as an organ, tissue and eye donor takes less than 5 minutes.
Healthy Communities
We are dedicated to developing and supporting the needs of our diverse communities through our grassroots public health efforts all across Louisiana. Access LOPA's reliable resource guide to gain information about healthy living, wellness tips, dialysis prevention, living donation, transplantation and more.
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You're never too old. There's no age limit to donation or to signing up. People in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond have been both organ donors and organ transplant recipients. Below are some facts you should know about donation for people over age 50.
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The Institute of Medicine (IOM) performed an assessment on the differences in the kinds and quality of health care received by U.S. racial and ethnic minorities and non minorities.
-The IOM report found that disparities in health care exist and are associated with worse health outcomes. Health care disparities occur in the context of broader inequality. There are many sources across health systems, providers, patients and managers that contribute to disparities.
-Black Americans make up one of the largest ethnic groups in need of an organ transplant in the United States, yet only 39% have registered as organ donors.
-Bias, stereotyping, prejudice and clinical uncertainty contribute to disparities. A small number of studies suggest that racial and ethnic minority patients are more likely to refuse treatment.
-Empowering our faith-based leaders with organ donation education can lead to a stronger support system for those waiting on the transplant list and those families needing support during grief of losing a loved one. Clergy are often asked to clarify theological and moral questions the potential donor family may have regarding end of life issues.
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One in three Americans is at risk for developing kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation offers insight on healthy living habits and nutrition facts for end-stage renal patients. KEEP Healthy, a free program from NKF, will help you learn if you're the one.
-Cookbook for dialysis patients
-The American Heart Association reported that making smart choices now to your lifestyle habits and diet can decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke. No matter what your age, everyone can benefit from a healthy diet and adequate physical activity.
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The American Diabetes Association states that physical activity includes all movement that increases energy use, whereas exercise is planned, structured physical activity. Exercise improves blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, contributes to weight loss, and improves well-being. **IMPORTANT NOTICE: Do not begin any physical activity before checking with your physician.
-Learn more about preventing Type II Diabetes by changing your dietary habits and including daily exercise. Learn more about preventing Type II Diabetes by changing your dietary habits and including daily exercise.
-Mental Health is vital to overall wellness. The U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services provides dedicated resources for mental health services or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
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The donation process begins with a decision. You decide you want to help people with end-stage disease by donating your organs when you die. Your body, after all, is finished with them.
When your time comes, perhaps decades later, your organs may be used to save many lives. People most frequently become donors after a stroke, heart attack or severe head injury.
-There are over 100,000 patients nationwide on the transplant waiting list. Approximately 2,000 patients are waiting in Louisiana. The most needed organ is a kidney, usually caused by diabetes or hypertension.
To learn more about organ, tissue and eye donation, please browse LOPA’s website.
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Relatives, loved ones, friends and even individuals who wish to remain anonymous often serve as living donors to spare a patient a long and uncertain wait. In 2020, more than 5,700 transplants were made possible by living donors