Investigating how structural racism affects organ donation rates among different racial groups

The Effect Of Structural Racism On Racial And Geographic Disparities In Deceased Organ Donation

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10860992

This study looks at how unfair treatment in healthcare affects the chances of Black people donating organs compared to White people, aiming to find ways to improve organ donation rates for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10860992 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research examines the impact of structural racism on racial and geographic disparities in deceased organ donation rates. It focuses on understanding how healthcare resource availability, influenced by systemic racism, affects the likelihood of organ donation among Black individuals compared to White individuals. By linking data from various national databases, the study aims to uncover the underlying factors contributing to these disparities and identify potential interventions to improve organ donation rates. The research seeks to provide a more comprehensive view of the organ donor pool beyond just inpatient deaths.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from racial minority groups, particularly Black individuals, who are affected by disparities in organ donation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not part of racial minority groups or those who do not have an interest in organ donation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased organ donation rates among underrepresented racial groups, ultimately improving access to transplantation for all patients.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies addressing racial disparities in healthcare, this research takes a novel approach by specifically linking structural racism to organ donation rates, making it a unique investigation.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.