Kidney and liver diseases affect a large group of people throughout the world, lowering their quality of life and putting their health at risk. In the United States, 35.5 million people suffer from kidney disease, while 4.5 million people over 18 live with liver disease.
Although these conditions can impact anyone, they disproportionally affect minority communities. There are a number of interconnected reasons why this is the case, from socioeconomic factors to genetic propensities. Here’s a closer look at why liver and kidney disease can affect these groups more severely.
Socioeconomic factors play a significant role when it comes to kidney and liver disease prevalence in minority communities. Lower income is linked to higher risks of developing these conditions as a result of food insecurity and “food deserts.”
Minority neighborhoods often have less access to healthy, affordable food. This leads to a reliance on high-sodium, high-fat, and high-sugar foods, which increase some of the leading causes of liver and kidney disease, like high blood pressure.
Minority communities are also more likely to live near environmental pollutants. They often work in agricultural or food processing industries, where exposure to chemicals is high. Additionally, they tend to reside in areas of low walkability, making safe and free exercise virtually impossible.
Education gaps lower awareness of these conditions, as well. People in lower-income communities may struggle to attain higher education, making them less likely to know what the early signs of kidney and liver disease are. This keeps them from getting prompt help, allowing the condition to worsen.
Minority communities are more likely to have conditions that increase the risks of developing kidney and liver disease. Hispanics, Black Americans, Native Americans, and other minorities are more prone to developing diabetes and high blood pressure.
Obesity, too, tends to be higher among minority communities compared to Caucasian communities. This increases the risk of both liver and kidney disease.
Minority communities also have lower vaccination rates for conditions like viral hepatitis, which triggers inflammation and leads to scarring that damages the liver.
Those who belong to minorities face genetic challenges, too. Hispanics, for example, are more prone to having genetic polymorphisms, such as PNPLA3, which makes them likely to develop conditions like metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease.
Black Americans, on the other hand, are disproportionately affected by kidney disease because of variants in the APOL1 gene. This variation increases the chances of developing progressive kidney disease.
Additionally, being exposed to chronic stress as a result of racism and other factors that impact minority communities can result in inflammation and oxidative stress. These factors can accelerate disease progression.
People who belong to minority communities consistently face disparities when attempting to get care. For example, there are higher rates of being uninsured in these communities, making it more difficult for people to obtain early screenings or preventive care.
Having less access to healthcare means patients in these communities get diagnosed much later, when the disease has already progressed. This lowers the number of treatment options available and increases mortality rates.
There is systemic bias, too. Minorities are less likely to be referred to specialists, like nephrologists. Black and Hispanic Americans may also not be added to transplant lists as promptly. Those with chronic liver disease tend to have to wait longer to even receive transplant evaluations, let alone the actual procedure.
Across the country, minority communities struggle with higher instances of kidney and liver disease, while at the same time having a harder time getting access to the care they need. Research for these conditions has long centered around white, male patients, without considering other populations and their exact needs.
Clinical research can help address these disparities. By encouraging studies that focus on people from all walks of life and ensuring that there are no barriers to participating in that research, it can be easier to obtain the information necessary to help those disproportionately impacted by kidney and liver disease.
At Orlando Clinical Research Center, we offer state-of-the-art facilities for all phases of clinical trials. Contact us to learn more about services or to participate in one of our kidney or liver current studies today.
