What influences rates of kidney donation among ethnic minority populations?

Socioeconomic barriers, cultural and religious beliefs and medical mistrust are major factors shaping donation attitudes and decisions in ethnic minority populations This paper presents a critical appraisal of existing literature exploring factors influencing kidney donation among ethnic minority populations. Despite longstanding recognition of the disproportionately low donation rates within these communities, the underlying causes are complex and multifaceted. Using the Critical Appraisal Programme ( CASP, 2024a ; 2024b ) framework, three studies were systematically evaluated for methodological rigour, credibility and relevance. The appraisal identified key themes contributing to reduced donation rates, including socioeconomic barriers, religious and cultural beliefs and medical mistrust. This review prioritises these intersecting barriers as central issues and highlights key methodological weaknesses in existing studies. While the selected studies offer valuable insights, limitations in sample size, study design and recruitment strategies effect the generalisability and practical application of their findings. This appraisal highlights the importance of culturally sensitive research approaches and highlights the need for future studies to address intersecting influences on donation attitudes within ethnic minority populations to inform more inclusive and effective health interventions.