Telephone interviews about organ donation were conducted with 4880 white respondents, 634 African-American respondents and 566 Hispanic respondents. Forty-three percent (42.9%) of whites, 31.2% of Hispanics and 22.6% of African-Americans reported that they were willing to donate their organs after their death (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed three significant correlates of willingness to donate across all ethnic groups: having had a family discussion about end-of-life issues; the belief that a doctor does all he or she can to save a life before pursuing donation; and concerns about surgical 'disfigurement' of a relative's body after donation. Concerns in relation to body disfigurement were more prevalent among African-American and Hispanic respondents (p < 0.001) than among white respondents. Public education should: a) stress the need for family communication about end-of-life issues including organ donation; b) underline the fact that donation is considered only after all efforts to save the life of the patient are exhausted; and c) reassure minorities that the body of the donor is treated respectfully and not disfigured.