Northwestern Medicine has launched the African American Transplant Access Program (AATAP) to address the significant disparities in organ transplant accessibility for Black Americans.
This initiative, the first of its kind in the nation, aims to mitigate the structural and institutional barriers that have historically hindered Black patients from receiving life-saving transplants. Since its inception in 2019, AATAP has supported nearly 300 patients, with over 50 successfully receiving kidney or liver transplants.
Dr. Dinee C. Simpson, the founding director of AATAP and chief health equity executive for Northwestern Medicine, emphasized the program’s unique focus on the needs of Black Americans. She highlighted that the same barriers contributing to higher disease rates among Black populations also impede their access to transplants.
Dr. Daniela P. Ladner, a founding director of the Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative (NUTORC), noted that AATAP demonstrates how a dedicated approach can provide access to transplants for patients who would otherwise be left behind.
The program’s success in Chicago has shown that with thoughtful strategies and committed leadership, it is possible to facilitate transplant access for African American patients facing significant challenges. The founders hope that the publication of their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst will inspire other transplant centers across the country to adopt similar approaches.
See “First-of-its kind program makes organ transplants more accessible to disadvantaged Black Americans” (August 27, 2024)