Community Health
Understanding your health is the foundation for helping to prevent chronic illness and save lives. With reliable health insights and resources to help you stay well, donating blood through the American Red Cross can be part of that journey to keep you and your community healthy.
A recent study shows that one-third of Americans lack access to regular primary care due to a shortage of providers in their local communities. Often, the Red Cross provides donors with more regular access to basic health information than they receive from their health care provider. We help bridge health care access by sharing vital health information and educating on how to use health data to support long-term health.
Explore why your free mini health assessment from the Red Cross is an important part of your journey and key to continuing to help others in need.
Discover how Red Cross health readings can be used to identify conditions affecting your heart health, like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Learn about how and why the Red Cross tests for sickle cell trait, a condition most common among individuals of African descent.
“Advancing community health is a natural extension of the Red Cross mission to alleviate human suffering. Through our vast network of blood donors, volunteers, employees and supporters — who power our lifesaving blood collection and emergency response efforts — we have a unique ability to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of chronic diseases, while advancing and supporting the health of our communities.”
- Dr. Pampee Young, American Red Cross Chief Medical Officer
Why Give Blood
