Black men are not as often given a well-functioning donor heart when in need, according to a new study.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the report looked at the acceptance rate of heart transplants, analyzing the data from the United Network for Organ Sharing throughout the span of five years from 2018 to 2023.
Almost 15,000 Americans participated of which 69% were white, 31% were Black and 74% were men. In their analysis, the researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine found that white women were more likely to have a healthy heart donated to them followed by Black women, white men and lastly Black men.
Overall, there were significant disparities when it came to who received a heart transplant. According to the study, Black patients, both women and men, were 24% less likely to receive a healthy heart donation.
To decide who receives the transplant, a computer algorithm is used to match candidates with donors based on characteristics, including the level of urgency and blood type. The transplant center then oversees the data and decides on whether the donation should be made.
Black patients in need of a heart transplant may be less likely to receive one than white patients, according to a new study led by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers: https://t.co/oKww5cFBj5 pic.twitter.com/30OF3guMgK
— IU School of Medicine (@IUMedSchool) March 25, 2024
“Structural racism contributes to increased social determinants of health and less access to quality and timely care,” said lead author Khadijah Breathett in a release.“I doubt it is intentional, but this study may demonstrate how bias leads to unfair decision-making that may mean life or death based upon race and gender.”
“We should provide centers with their data and incentivize them to do the right thing. Evidence-based bias training and anti-racism training are also important for centers to complete.”
The lack of heart transplants for Black patients comes amid reports that they are more likely to pass away from heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, Black patients are at higher risk when it comes to cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
Nearly 60% of Black American adults in general have heart disease, recording the highest rate of cases out of any race. In 2022, Penn Medicine reported that they were also 30% more likely to pass away once diagnosed.
Along with other issues such as redlining, racism has been found to be a significant contributor to fatal heart disease cases, particularly amongst Black women. In a 2023 study, Black women had an increased 26% chance of developing the health issue as a result of experiences with racism.
Overall, per the CDC, out of every 100,000 people, 176 Black women pass away from a cardiovascular issue.
