Why is it important for more African Americans and Native Americans to become organ donors?
Matching organs between members of the same ethnic or racial group often enhances the success of kidney transplantation. Approximately one-third of the individuals waiting for kidney transplants are African-American. Why? African Americans are 17 times more likely than Caucasians to develop hypertension, which can lead to eventual kidney failure. Also, a higher incidence of hypertension and diabetes among Native Americans increases the risk of kidney failure for this segment of the population, too.
