A significant racial disparity exists in Michigan’s organ donation, with Black residents disproportionately affected, a recent analysis reveals. Black Michiganders represent 30.2% of the state’s organ transplant waiting list but only 14.1% of the population. This stark contrast underscores the urgent need for more donors from diverse backgrounds to save lives.
Gift of Life Michigan’s Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program is tackling this issue head-on. Community Relations Coordinator Taneisha Carswell engages with students through interactive presentations, aiming to dispel myths and encourage organ and tissue donation among minority groups. During a session at Detroit’s Renaissance High School, Carswell demonstrated the breathing difficulties faced by those awaiting lung transplants, leaving a lasting impression on students like 17-year-old Aniyah Harris.
The imbalance is particularly acute for kidney transplants, with African Americans making up 60% of those waiting. The compatibility of organ matches within the same race or ethnicity further complicates the situation. Factors contributing to the disparity include socioeconomic determinants such as poverty, healthcare access, and historical mistrust in the medical system, according to Remonia Chapman, a health advocate involved in the education efforts.
Efforts by Gift of Life Michigan and its partners are crucial in addressing the underrepresentation of Black organ donors. By raising awareness and breaking down barriers, they strive to create a more equitable system where every Michigan resident in need has a fair chance at receiving a lifesaving transplant.
See “There’s a racial disparity among Michigan’s organ donors” by Kristen Jordan Shamus on the Detroit Free Press website (February 13, 2024)
