Corrections to Race-Based Kidney Function Estimates

A new JAMA Internal Medicine study found that a national policy correcting race-based kidney function estimates was associated with higher kidney transplant rates for Black patients. After implementation of Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) wait time modifications in 2023, transplant rates among Black candidates increased by 5.3 transplants per 1,000 listings—without reducing access for other racial or ethnic groups. The authors suggest these findings that targeted policy changes to remedy harms from race-based medicine can meaningfully reduce inequities in kidney transplantation.