The Checkbox That Reduces Black Lives To Medical Statistics

Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Craig Merritt found himself questioning, “Why me?” As he sat for four hours in a dialysis chair, watching his blood undergo filtration, despair crept in after three years of this routine. Would a kidney transplant ever come, or would he die waiting? “I’ve encountered both good and demonic spirits,” Merritt recounts, admitting thoughts of suicide crossed his mind. Close by were other Black patients, and he had formed bonds with some, including a young man regularly bringing gas station snacks. Once, Merritt offered this man $50 to manage his phosphorus levels, but the man couldn’t follow through. Unbeknownst to Merritt, systemic biases complicated his path. The eGFR formula, which determines kidney function, unfairly delayed Black patients’ inclusion on transplant lists. This racing of patients’ kidney function prolonged their wait for transplants, leading many to face dire circumstances while on dialysis. Today's healthcare still grapples with uncovering and addressing racial disparities in medical algorithms.