A recent analysis published by the Association of Health Care Journalists highlights the persistent inequities faced by minority communities on the organ transplant waitlist. Despite record-high organ transplants last year, the odds of receiving a transplant remain heavily influenced by race, income, and location.
Black individuals, for instance, are 39% less likely to be evaluated for a lung transplant compared to their white counterparts. This disparity extends across all organ types, reflecting deep-rooted systemic issues.
The study examined data from over 30,000 patients with obstructive and restrictive lung disease, revealing that Black patients face significant barriers to transplant evaluation, regardless of their neighborhood. Additionally, individuals from poorer neighborhoods are 45% less likely to get on the transplant waiting list and 97% more likely to die before receiving a new lung. These statistics underscore the critical impact of socioeconomic factors on access to life-saving treatments.
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which has managed the U.S. transplant system since 1986, has been criticized for mismanagement and inefficiencies. A 2020 Senate investigation exposed outdated infrastructure and patient safety risks, further complicating efforts to achieve equity in organ transplants. Unconscious biases among healthcare providers also contribute to fewer Black patients being referred for transplants.
To address these disparities, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will launch the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA) on July 1, 2025. This initiative aims to improve kidney transplant equity by testing financial incentives for transplant hospitals. However, the success of such programs depends on meaningful reforms and accountability within the transplant system.
See: “Impossible odds persist for many on organ transplant waitlist” (March 19, 2025)
