A National Minority Organ/Tissue Transplant Education Program: The First Step in the Evolution of a National Minority Strategy and Minority Transplant Equity in the USA

In 1978, members of the Southeastern Organ Procurement Foundation approached us concerning the disparity between the large number of African American patients, 50% to 70% of all patients on dialysis (artificial kidney machines), and the small number of African American donors (3%), and asked us why and what could be done about it? From my perspective as an African American transplant surgeon at Howard University, these observations piqued my curiosity and I agreed to investigate them. Our investigation took us into three areas: 1. An evaluation of the data regarding transplantation in patients at the Howard University Hospital Transplant Center (HUTC). 2. A search to find the actual incidence and cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the District of Columbia (DC) and throughout the nation. 3. Finding an answer to the question Why are African Americans reluctant to leave organs and tissues behind, after the death of their loved ones

The Psychoneuroimmunological Influences of Recreational Marijuana

Background: Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance in the USA and self-reported use has remained steady over the past decade. Numerous publications examine the influence of marijuana use on various facets of human physiology including neurocognitive function, immune function, and illness symptom control, each discussing marijuana's influence in a narrow or compartmentalized fashion. However, there is a scant literature discussing the empirical and clinical implications of the intersection of these constructs. The primary objective of this review is to review and synthesize this disparate literature and propose future research directions. Thus, this review examines the literature that relates the influence of marijuana to: (1) neurocognitive function; (2) immune function; (3) treatment uses; and (4) propose future directions. Methods: Clinical and nonclinical empirical studies were collected and utilized to inform this review. The authors used PubMed search engine as the primary mechanism used to identify relevant articles. Conclusion: Given the legalization efforts of recreational marijuana use, there is a need to discuss health and treatment effects of marijuana use from a more comprehensive, psychoneuroimmunological or biopsychosocial framework. We will discuss the need for an interdisciplinary research and future steps regarding the examination of marijuana use

Dismantling structural racism as a root cause of racial disparities in COVID-19 and transplantation

As the United States faces unparalleled challenges due to COVID-19, racial disparities in health and healthcare have once again taken center stage. If effective interventions to address racial disparities in transplantation, including those magnified by COVID-19, are to be designed and implemented at the national level, it is first critical to understand the complex mechanisms by which structural, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized racism influence the presence of racial disparities in healthcare and transplantation. Specifically, we must deeply re-evaluate how scientists and clinicians think about race in the transplant context, and we must actively shift our efforts from merely observing disparities to acknowledging and acting on racism as a root cause underlying the vast majority of these disparities. We must do better to ensure equitable access and outcomes for all transplant patients, including within the current COVID-19 pandemic. We respectfully offer this viewpoint as a call to action to every reader to join us in working together to help dismantle racist influences and advance transplant equity