Blacks and whites and kidney transplantation: A disparity! But why and why won't it go away?

In 1972, I (C.O.C.) became aware of the transplant disparity between blacks and whites. This disparity identified poorer kidney graft survival, higher incidences of end-stage renal disease, and poorer kidney donor survival among blacks regardless of the ethnicity of the recipient. After closer analysis, inequitable organ allocation schema, institutionalized racism, the green screen, and HLA heterogeneity may be contributory to these disparities. A comprehensive national strategic plan with significant research funding increases with the elimination of these disparities as a priority are necessary to make these disparities disappear.