Blacks who donate kidneys face higher health risks
New study cites problems
Donating vital organs such as kidneys is probably one of the most generous gifts a person can give, but African Americans might become a little less giving due to the findings in a study that was recently released by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
The Journal reported that Blacks who donate a kidney find themselves facing a higher risk of kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, than Whites who donate.
Compared to Whites, Black donors were 52 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure, and more than twice as likely to develop chronic kidney disease or diabetes requiring drug therapy.
“We are not proposing any change to donor selection policy based on these data, and do not believe that race and ethnicity should be used to discourage anyone from stepping forward for potential donor evaluation,” said Dr. Krista Lentine who led the study, at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Researchers say they do not now why this increased risk for challenges occur.
African Americans make up 34 percent of the nation’s population of people who are awaiting a donated kidney.
A separate study done a few years ago by the Wake Forest School of Medicine found that African Americans are already less likely to become successful living donors because of their high rates of obesity and failure to complete donor evaluation.
About 30 percent of Blacks were excluded because of obesity, compared to 16.6 percent of Whites and 12 percent of Blacks were excluded because they didn’t complete the evaluation process, compared to 1.8 percent of Whites.
For Whites, the biggest reason for exclusion was kidney stones, at 7.3 percent, compared to 1.5 percent in Blacks.
“Further study of these differences may improve our understanding of the causes of low rates of living kidney donation among African Americans, particularly regarding the social reasons,” said Amber Reeves-Daniel, D.O., an instructor in internal medicine-nephrology who speculated that a lack of trust in the medical community, financial inability to get to doctor’s appointments for tests, and concerns with work and child care, may be contributing factors preventing Blacks from donating.
Although her study did not delve as deeply into the reason for why the discrepancies between Black and White donors existed, Dr. Lentine speculated that because many of the health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure, are already higher in African Americans, a lack of access to adequate health care–which many African American experience–can increase the risk of these issues. Dr. Lentine also speculates that further study will be done to better answer why this discrepancy exists.
NEW YORK, N.Y.—BET Networks unveiled a new report that challenges the Hollywood mindset that African Americans only support Black movies and outlines the $6.3 billion buying power of this demographic. According to REEL FACTS: A Movie Goer Consumption Study on average, 81% of the movies seen by African Americans do not prominently feature an African American cast, storyline or lead Black star. The study provides an in-depth understanding of African American movie goers and their consumption patterns versus general market movie goers.
SANTA MONICA, Calif.—People suffering from depression are less likely to stick to a medication regimen to treat chronic health problems, putting them at increased risk of more serious health issues, according to a study released by the Santa Monica-based RAND Corp.
The study found that depressed patients suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease were 76 percent less likely to adhere to their medication schedule, when compared to patients who are not depressed.
Black Women for Wellness (BWW), in partnership with the California Family Health Council and L.A. Care Health Plan recently held Respect Conference: Integrity and Inclusion of African Americans in Health Care, a policy briefing and publication release at the California African American Museum.
The conference provided a space to address the historical and contemporary affects of health care systems and laws on African American women.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A former Palmdale apartment manager who said he was punched, kicked and pepper-sprayed without provocation in a confrontation with sheriff’s deputies received an additional $6,000 in punitive damages in addition to $575,000 awarded two days earlier by the same jury.
The Los Angeles Superior Court panel deliberated for about one and half hours Friday before assessing the damages in favor of Noel Bender and against Deputy Scott Sorrow.
Seven of television’s hottest and most sought after musicians and more importantly musical directors, took the stage last week, not to perform but to spotlight their accomplishments and celebrate Black Music Month.
These contemporary music pioneers, assembled for the first time, spoke candidly about the industry, particularly their role in shaping the music television audiences worldwide have come to enjoy.
