By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Black Americans continue to face alarming disparities when it comes to kidney disease and access to life-saving transplants. While African Americans make up just 12% of the U.S. population, they account for more than 30% of patients treated for end-stage renal disease (ESRD)—a severe condition in which the kidneys can no longer function without dialysis or a transplant.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
According to the National Kidney Foundation, Black Americans are four times more likely than whites to experience kidney failure. Nearly one in three live with high blood pressure—one of the highest rates in the world—and 13% have diabetes, another leading cause of kidney disease. Yet despite these risks, African Americans are less likely to be referred to specialists who perform pre-transplant evaluations, and 20% lack health insurance, further widening the gap.
Statistics also show that only 17.8% of Black ESRD patients are added to the national transplant waiting list within the first year of kidney failure, compared to 30.5% of white patients.
Why the Wait Is Longer
Experts point to multiple factors behind this inequality. A shortage of Black organ donors means that most available kidneys come from white donors, making genetic matches harder to find. In addition, studies have found that Black families are less frequently asked or less likely to agree to organ donation compared to white families.
Another major factor lies in the racial adjustment of kidney function tests. For years, doctors used a formula that automatically boosted kidney filtration scores for Black patients, suggesting their kidneys were healthier than they were. This “race correction” often delayed referrals for critical care or transplant evaluation, though many hospitals are now moving away from this outdated practice.
The Path Forward
While dialysis can sustain life, a kidney transplant offers better long-term outcomes—longer life expectancy, greater independence, and fewer dietary restrictions. However, barriers like costly medications, limited insurance coverage, and access to healthcare continue to weigh heavily on Black patients.
Health advocates stress that early detection of kidney disease through regular screening for hypertension and diabetes is vital to prevention and timely treatment.