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Kidney Test Bias Reversed: Thousands Get Transplant Priority
9 Mar
Summary
- Black patients gained median 1.7 years on kidney transplant waitlists.
- Policy change corrected a race-based formula that delayed care.
- Less than one-third of eligible Black candidates received wait-time credit.
An effort to correct a racially biased medical test has begun to work, benefiting Black transplant candidates in the U.S. This initiative has granted thousands of Black individuals credit for time lost on kidney transplant waiting lists due to a flawed race-based formula.
The now-discontinued test manipulated calculations of kidney function, making Black patients' organs seem healthier than they were. This led to delayed diagnoses and referrals for transplants. After the U.S. transplant system ended the test in January 2023, hospitals were directed to review past medical records.
Analysis revealed that over 21,000 Black candidates received wait-time adjustments, with a median gain of 1.7 years. This significant adjustment increased the transplant rate for Black patients following the policy change. Researchers noted that the improvement in transplant care for Black individuals did not negatively impact patients of other races.
Despite the positive changes, less than one-third of eligible Black transplant candidates received wait-time modifications. This could be due to delayed diagnoses or varying resources among transplant centers to conduct thorough record reviews. Experts suggest that newly added Black patients to transplant lists should inquire about their eligibility for similar adjustments.
