Barriers to Cadaveric Renal Transplantation Among Blacks, Women, and the Poor

Abstract

COMPARED WITH long-term dialysis, cadaveric renal transplantation generally offers a longer life span, a better quality of life, and lower health care costs.^1-3 However, the scarcity of donor organs means that only a small fraction of patients receive transplants.¹ Despite Medicare financing of kidney transplantation, blacks, women, and poor individuals are less likely to receive transplants than whites, men, and wealthy individuals.^4,5