This page provides data points and curated searches from OMH’s Knowledge Center library catalog related to organ transplants within minority and tribal populations in the United States and its territories. The number of catalog records for each topic reflect the search results at the time of this page’s latest update.
Organ donation and transplantation is a life-saving surgery where a failing organ is replaced with a healthy one from a donor (living or deceased) to restore function. Organ transplants save lives and help people live healthier, better lives. Organ donation and transplantation is a carefully organized process that happens across the country. Donated organs are matched with people who need them most based on medical need. However, there are not enough donated organs for everyone who needs one, so many people must wait a long time for a transplant. Donors and recipients do not need to be the same race or ethnicity for a transplant to work. Still, having donors from many different racial and ethnic backgrounds makes it easier to find good matches and can improve transplant success. Unlike organs donated after death, living donors can choose who receives their organ, which may help someone get a transplant sooner.
American Indian/Alaska Native
In 2025, American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) made up less than 1% of all candidates on the organ transplant waiting list and 0.63% of all organ donors in the United States. In 2024, AI/AN people made up less than 1% of all U.S. organ transplant recipients. In 2024, nearly 20% of AI/AN organ donors were living donors, compared to 29% of all donors nationwide.
For additional data on organ transplants and American Indians/Alaska Natives, please visit our Population Profiles.
Asian American
In 2025, Asian Americans made up 8% of people on the organ transplant waiting list, but only about 3% of all organ donors in the United States. In 2024, Asian Americans made up nearly 6% of all U.S. organ transplant recipients. In 2024, 43% of Asian American organ donors were living donors, compared to 29% of all donors nationwide.
For additional data on organ transplants and Asian Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Black/African American
In 2025, Black/African Americans made up 27% of candidates on the organ transplant waiting list and about 13% of all organ donors in the United States. In 2024, Black/African Americans made up nearly 23% of total organ transplant recipients nationwide. In 2024, nearly 17% of Black/African American organ donors were living donors, compared to 29% of all donors in the U.S.
For additional data on organ transplants and Black/African Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Hispanic/Latino
In 2025, Hispanics/Latino Americans made up almost 24% of all candidates on the organ transplant waiting list and 15% of all organ donors in the United States. In 2024, Hispanics/Latino Americans made up nearly 19% of all U.S. organ transplant recipients. In 2024, 32% of Hispanic/Latino American organ donors in the U.S. were living donors, compared to 29% of all donors nationwide.
For additional data on organ transplants and Hispanic Americans, please visit our Population Profiles.
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
In 2025, Pacific Islanders made up 0.62% of all candidates on the organ transplant waiting list and 0.25% of all organ donors in the United States. In 2024, Pacific Islanders made up 0.39% of all U.S. organ transplant recipients. In 2024, 20% of Pacific Islander organ donors were living donors, compared to 29% of all donors in the U.S.
For additional data on organ transplants and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, please visit our Population Profiles.
Date Last Reviewed: February 2026