Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Orchestrating the Organ Shortage Crisis in the United States

Abstract

In the United States 17 people die each day awaiting an organ transplant and only 56% of the population registers as organ donors. The purpose of this study is to assess whether socioeconomic and demographic conditions effect organ donation rates and if so, analyse which conditions have the largest effects. The hypothesis predicts there is an effect from socioeconomic and demographic conditions and specifically receiving more education, earning a higher income and being a Christian positively influences organ donation rates, while being a member of a minority group, receiving less education, and residing in a Southern state negatively influences organ donation rates. Using deceased organ donor data from 37 states along with socioeconomic and demographic data, this study used OLS regressions for its analysis. White, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Black or African American populations residing in Southern states and lower incomes negatively influenced organ donation rates.