Most Kidney Transplant Candidates Never Reach the Waitlist

Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the study analyzed electronic health records from 2014 to 2025 to map the attrition rate of patients seeking life-saving organ care. The findings indicate that the path to transplantation is fraught with systemic hurdles that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Unmarried patients, those living in rural areas, and individuals with severe obesity face significantly lower odds of navigating the evaluation process.

Geography and socioeconomic status emerge as primary predictors of success. Patients treated at smaller transplant centers or facilities in the South are less likely to progress, as are those who speak Spanish or face economic hardship. Lead author Dr. Conor Donnelly noted that the current evaluation process—which demands frequent blood work, imaging, and cancer screenings alongside weekly dialysis—creates a grueling barrier that many patients cannot overcome without significant support. The researchers argue that simplifying these requirements and providing better navigation assistance are essential steps to expanding access to care.