The stark reality of organ donation disparities in the United States continues to heavily burden the Black community, according to Dr. Christopher Brown, a clinical nephrologist and board member of Lifeline of Ohio. Despite comprising a smaller percentage of the population, African Americans face a significantly higher need for organ transplants and endure longer wait times than other ethnic groups.
Across the nation, over 100,000 individuals are currently on transplant waiting lists, with nearly 3,000 in Ohio alone. The situation is particularly dire for Black patients, who typically wait an average of a year longer to receive an organ. This disparity is further exacerbated by systemic issues within the healthcare system.
A 2022 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine revealed troubling trends. African American patients are less likely to be referred for transplant evaluation and less likely to be added to the transplant waiting list. These critical steps serve as essential gateways to receiving a needed organ transplant.
Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of building trust with Black patients and proactively sharing disease prevention strategies. He advocates for increased organ donation from all communities and works to empower his patients through early intervention and proactive transplant referrals.
Initiatives like the “Rooted In Life” campaign, launched in partnership with the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Columbus, aim to raise awareness and inspire more people to become organ donors. Dr. Brown stresses that one person can save eight lives through organ donation and encourages everyone to register as a donor, highlighting the potential impact on addressing these health disparities.
See: “OPINION: Statistics devastating for Black people awaiting new organs” (September 18, 2024)
