Although African-Americans make up only 12% of the general United States population, they represent almost 30% of end-stage renal disease patients. Because of the increasing disparity between the number of African-American patients on dialysis and the proportion of this ethnic group who become donors, it is imperative that we obtain a better understanding of factors associated with the lack of organ donations in that population. A major effort in the process of understanding barriers to organ donation involves measuring knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among African-Americans regarding organ procurement. Studies conducted thus far indicate the following explanations for the disparity between African-American donors and whites: 1) lack of communication between African-Americans and the medical community; 2) lack of knowledge relating to kidney transplants; 3) religious issues; 4) fear of complications. The results seem to suggest that providing education about the causes of ESRD (hypertension and diabetes) to private physicians, city and county clinics remains sorely needed.
Dialysis and Transplantation
- Homotransplantation
- Organ Donation
- Renal Disease
- Renal Failure
- Nephropathy