Are Black Americans disproportionately represented on the organ transplant waitlist?

Black Americans are disproportionately represented on the national organ donation transplant waitlist compared to people of other races or ethnicities, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Available data show that in 2025, Black or African American patients accounted for about 27% of people on the national transplant waiting list, or 28,000 people, while they represented roughly 14% of the U.S. population.

At the same time, Black Americans make up about 13% of organ donors and nearly 23% of transplant recipients.

Health experts say this disparity is largely driven by higher rates of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to organ failure, especially kidney disease. Black patients also often face longer wait times for transplants.

Racial disparities in access and quality can often lead to delayed diagnoses or a delay in getting a referral for a specialist.