As much as COVID-19 has exacerbated long- standing health disparities in America, Black people have had a 70% greater chance of death due to COVID-19 than whites. However, this is not the only shocking inequity in American health care. Tragically, the effort to save lives through organ transplantation is marred by a deep chasm separating the treatment of Blacks from whites.
Recent research shows Black people in need of a transplant are less likely than their white peers to get it, and when they do receive a transplant, they have a higher risk of post-transplant mortality.
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) revised its allocation system to improve access to organs among the sickest patients and reduce racial and regional disparities.
Evidence for this situation was reported at last year’s American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions conference. The preliminary research suggested that Black patients experienced longer wait times for a heart transplant than other racial and ethnic groups. Black patients in the United States typically wait a year longer for organ transplants than white patients do— and that’s just one of many inequities.
In addition, the study notes that some Black families may not be approached regarding organ donation requests in the same manner — or as frequently — as White families and that they sometimes view those interactions less favorably.
In the new study, researchers analyzed heart recipient characteristics and outcomes for 32,353 people spanning about a decade of UNOS data from 2011-2020.
All institutions involved in organ transplant wait-listing and distribution are connected through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), which the nonprofit United Network for Organ Sharing manages.
The federal contract for the OPTN is up for renewal in 2023, so this is a crucial opportunity to heighten accountability requirements, including those ensuring equity.
To promote equity, health systems and those working in them must recognize and minimize bias and racism, sexism, ableism, and other “isms” that devalue certain groups.
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