A Targeted Approach to Increasing American Indian Kidney Donation
End-stage kidney disease is a major public health concern for American Indian populations. It is 3.5 times more common among American Indians than among Whites, and it results overwhelmingly from an excess of type 2 diabetes. In treating end-stage kidney disease, transplantation is associated with better quality of life, lower health care costs, and longer life expectancy than is long-term dialysis. Even so, compared to Whites, American Indians experience significant delays in transplantation and remain on transplant waiting lists for longer periods of time. As rates of kidney disease continue to rise, the importance of raising awareness of organ donation becomes increasingly critical.