MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. David Goldberg MD, MSCE Assistant Professor of Medicine LDI Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute, University of Pennsylvania Medical Director for Living Donor Liver Transplantation, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Senior Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics MedicalResearch: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Dr. Goldberg: While there are data that demonstrate differences in authorization (consent) rates for deceased donation among racial and ethnic minorities, it is unknown how these differences contribute to geographic differences in the number of deceased organ donors.  It has been postulated that geographic differences in the distribution of racial and ethnic minorities may contribute to differences in the deceased organ supply, yet there have been no empiric data to support this.  Using data on “eligible deaths,” defined as potential brain-dead organ donors <=70 years of age, we demonstrated that even after accounting for differences in the racial/ethnic demographics of the potential donor population, there are dramatic differences in authorization (consent) rates across geographic areas that are not explained by demographics alone. If the source of these differences could be identified, then there could be large increases in the number of organ donors, and lifesaving transplants, in areas with lower authorization rates. (more…)