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RACS ASC 2025
Lower Risk of Outpatient Deaths Consistent with Organ Donation Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States
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Institution: Johns Hopkins University - Maryland , United States of America

Purpose The United States (U.S.) faces a critical shortage of transplantable organs, with demand far exceeding supply. Racial and ethnic disparities in organ donation rates exist, yet the role of place of death in these disparities remains unexplored. This study examines whether minority populations in the U.S. experience higher rates of outpatient deaths consistent with organ donation (ODCOD). Methodology We analyzed U.S. mortality data (2010–2019) to identify deaths consistent with organ donation using ICD-10-CM codes. Identified deaths were stratified by place of death, and modified Poisson regression estimated adjusted risk ratios (aRR) for ODCOD by race and ethnicity, controlling for demographic characteristics. Results After adjustment, Black individuals had a lower risk of ODCOD compared to White individuals (aRR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.91–0.91, p < 0.001). Similarly, American Indian (aRR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.92–0.93, p < 0.001) and Asian individuals (aRR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.85–0.86, p < 0.001) also had a reduced risk. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a lower risk of ODCOD (aRR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.88–0.88, p < 0.001) compared to non-Hispanic individuals in the U.S. Conclusion Racial and ethnic minority populations in the U.S. have a lower risk of ODCOD compared to White individuals. These findings challenge the notion that place of death is a primary driver of racial disparities in organ donation and suggest that donation decisions are largely individual. Further research should explore how socioeconomic factors and healthcare access influence organ donation patterns.
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Dr. Lawrence Brown - , Dr. Sarah Hussain - , Dr. Elizabeth King -