Open AccessGeographic Differences in Population Health and Expected Organ Supply in the Gulf Coast Region of the United States Compared to Non-Gulf States
Author(s) -
Rhian D. Reed,
Brittany A. Shelton,
Margaux N. Mustian,
Paul A. MacLennan,
Deirdre Sawinski,
Jayme E. Locke
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.45
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1534-6080
pISSN - 0041-1337
DOI - 10.1097/tp.0000000000002831
Subject(s) - donation , population , demography , medicine , ethnic group , kidney transplantation , environmental health , transplantation , gerontology , surgery , law , political science , sociology
The Final Rule aimed to reduce geographic disparities in access to transplantation by prioritizing the need for transplant over donor proximity. However, disparities in waiting times persist for deceased donor kidney transplantation. The kidney allocation system implemented in 2014 does not account for potential local supply based on population health characteristics within a donation service area (DSA). We hypothesized that regions with traditionally high rates of comorbid disease, such as the states located along the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf States), may be disadvantaged by limited local supply secondary to poor population health.