Transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with kidney failure, yet many eligible patients do not have access to a transplant within their lifetime. The limited availability of donor organs inevitably constrains access to transplantation. Research has consistently shown that social and geographical disadvantage, along with inequalities related to age, sex/gender, comorbidities, and ethnicity, contribute significantly to disparities in transplantation access. For instance, women with higher body weight are less likely to receive a transplant than men with higher body weight. In this talk, we will examine the multifaceted drivers of these inequities and highlight innovative strategies and system-level interventions to improve equitable access to transplantation. We will also discuss how policy reforms and health system redesign can play a pivotal role in addressing these persistent gaps.
