August is the month for bringing attention to the gap between the number of organ donors and the number of people who are African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian/Pacific Islander who need life-saving organs or tissues. Of more than 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants, nearly 60 percent are from multicultural communities. Researchers have cited low socio-economic status as a primary driver of racial disparities.The Rural location also presents barriers to patients needing transplants; those who are older, lack advanced education, are underemployed, or are Medicaid beneficiaries are less likely to get on waitlists.
