abcnews.go.com
Racially Biased Kidney Test Delays Thousands of Black Transplants
A race-based formula for assessing kidney function, used since the 1990s, unfairly lowered the transplant priority of Black patients; following its removal, over 14,300 Black patients gained an average of two years on their waitlists, and one patient, Jazmin Evans, received a transplant after a 3.5-year wait time adjustment.
- How did the race-based GFR calculation contribute to health disparities within the kidney transplant system?
- The race-based GFR calculation, used nationwide, falsely indicated better kidney function in Black patients, delaying transplants. This systemic bias disproportionately affected Black Americans, who already experience kidney failure at over three times the rate of white Americans. Correcting this formula has significantly impacted wait times for thousands.
- What immediate impact did the correction of the race-based GFR calculation have on Black kidney transplant patients?
- For decades, a flawed kidney function test using race as a variable placed many Black patients lower on transplant waiting lists. Recently, this bias was corrected, resulting in over 14,300 Black patients gaining an average of two years on their wait times. One patient, Jazmin Evans, gained 3.5 years and subsequently received a transplant.
- What broader implications does this case have for addressing systemic biases in healthcare and ensuring equitable access to organ transplantation?
- The removal of the race-based GFR metric highlights long-standing systemic racism within healthcare. Future efforts should focus on addressing similar biases in other medical assessments and improving equitable access to organ transplants for all racial groups. Continued monitoring of transplant wait times for Black patients is crucial.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced narrative. While it focuses on the experiences of Jazmin Evans, it contextualizes her story within the larger issue of racial bias in healthcare. The headline, if present, would significantly influence the framing, but without it, the current framing is neutral and informative.
Bias by Omission
The article does an excellent job of highlighting the racial bias in kidney function assessment and its impact on Black patients. It doesn't, however, delve into potential systemic issues beyond the flawed formula, such as disparities in access to healthcare or preventative care that may contribute to higher rates of kidney failure in the Black community. While the focus is understandably on the immediate impact of the flawed formula, exploring these broader societal factors would provide a more comprehensive understanding.
Sustainable Development Goals
The flawed kidney function formula disproportionately affected Black patients, delaying their access to life-saving transplants and exacerbating health disparities linked to socioeconomic factors. Correcting this formula and reassessing wait times improves health equity and reduces the economic burden on patients and their families.