Racism may be contributing to kidney transplantation inequity in New Zealand, according to a study of 40 Māori with kidney disease, their family members and donors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between September and December 2020, and participants included those with kidney disease who had considered, were being worked up for, or who had already received a kidney transplant as well as family members and potential or previous donors. Subthemes were identified at each level of racism: institutional (excluded and devalued by health system; disease stigmatisation; discriminatory body weight criteria, lack of power), personally mediated (experiencing racial profiling; explicit racism), and internalised racism (shame and unworthiness to receive a transplant). Addressing racism at all levels is imperative if inequitable outcomes for Māori requiring kidney transplantation are to be addressed, the study authors concluded.
