No substantial improvement seen over time in observed or adjusted estimated living donor kidney transplant rate ratios
By Elana Gotkine
THURSDAY, Dec. 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) — For patients with kidney failure, there appears to be no substantial improvement over time in the observed or adjusted Black-White mean living donor kidney transplant (LDKT) rate ratios (RRs), according to a study published online Dec. 15 in JAMA Network Open. Read the article in HealthDay.
By Regina Schaffer
Adults with HF who live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods were significantly less likely to take guideline-directed therapies as prescribed, underscoring the importance of considering social determinants of health in patient care. Read the article in Healio.
Six months after new kidney policies took effect, more than 6,100 Black kidney candidates have had their waiting times modified, helping them get the organs they need. A new monitoring report shows the median (statistical midpoint) of additional waiting time given to these candidates was 1.7 years. The attached figure below shows the distribution of waiting time awarded to candidates with a waiting time modification. Read the full article from UNOS.
Medicare changes announced in March 2023 have alarmed transplant patients and clinicians, causing significant decline in crucial blood test use to detect early signs of organ transplant rejection.
The transplant community is fearful their voices have been ignored and are making a public plea to the Biden Administration.
Universally celebrated recording artist and transplant patient Al B. Sure! and civil rights and social justice leader, Rev. Al Sharpton joining the cause and fighting for minorities and the underserved who are disproportionately affected by these rollbacks.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Honor the Gift, a coalition representing organ transplant patients across the nation, will be joined by Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), the American Association of Kidney Patient’s (AAKP) Chair of Policy and Global Affairs Paul T. Conway, Al B Sure!, Executive Chairman of the newly formed “Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition,” Rev. Al Sharpton, Senior Advisor, and other leaders in the transplant field, to hold a press conference on December 5, 2023 in the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Read the full press release from Honor the Gift.
By Dr. Mariella Ortigosa-Goggins
For the past several years, there has been a lot of attention directed toward ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in industries across the United States, including in the accessing and delivery of equitable health care. As an example, while African Americans are at a much higher risk of being diagnosed with kidney disease, the community continues to face several disparities when attempting to access organ transplantation services.
Read the complete article in The Miami Times.
By Abigail Brooks, MA
Among a cohort of young patients with no major comorbidity burdens, 49% were not waitlisted within 5 years of dialysis initiation.
Findings from a retrospective cohort study are calling attention to disparities in kidney transplant waitlisting based on sex, race, ethnicity, and employment status.
Among more than 50,000 patients aged ≤40 years with no major medical comorbidities, nearly half were not waitlisted for a kidney transplant within 5 years of dialysis initiation, with female sex, Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, and unemployment showing the greatest association with decreased waitlisting.1 Read more in HCP Live.
By Isabella Hornick
HONOLULU — More women and underrepresented racial/ethnic groups have entered into medicine, but bias and discrimination still exist, which can lead to poorer care, according to a presentation at the CHEST Annual Meeting.
In her presentation, “Racial and Gender Bias in Health care Systems,” Brooke Gustafson, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of pulmonary medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, discussed underrepresentation in medicine over the years, challenges both women and individuals from underrepresented races/ethnicities face, as well as ways to reduce underrepresentation. Read the full article in Healio.
By Regina Schaffer
Large differences in some modifiable risk factors for stroke between Black and non-Black patients were resolved after a 1-year intensive intervention that included medical management, follow-up and lifestyle coaching, researchers reported.
“Modifiable stroke risk factor differences between Black and non-Black adults were found at enrollment; however, our study found these disparities may be resolved by tailoring care to include lifestyle coaching, medication alterations or additions if appropriate, access to routine health support and regular physician follow-up,” Ashley Nelson, DO, a neurology resident at the Medical University of South Carolina, said in a press release. “Intense risk factor management has an important role in improving or eliminating these risk factor disparities in Black adults.” Read the full article in Healio.
By Shawn M. Carter
Evident racial gaps in transplant waitlist placement between Black and white patients exist, particularly among younger individuals with kidney failure, new data suggests.
“Racial disparities exist at all steps of the kidney transplant process, including waitlisting,” Jade Buford, MPH, of the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and lead researcher, told Healio. “The purpose of this study was to examine whether racial disparities in kidney transplant waitlisting vary by age of the patient with kidney failure.” Read the full story in Healio.
By Shawn M. Carter
Evident racial gaps in transplant waitlist placement between Black and white patients exist, particularly among younger individuals with kidney failure, new data suggests.
“Racial disparities exist at all steps of the kidney transplant process, including waitlisting,” Jade Buford, MPH, of the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and lead researcher, told Healio.
Read the full story in Healio.