The role of race and ethnicity in health care crowdfunding: an exploratory analysis

Medical crowdfunding is a key source of financing for individuals facing high out-of-pocket costs, including organ-transplant candidates. However, little is known about racial disparities in campaigning activity and outcomes, or how these relate to access to care. In this exploratory, nationwide, cross-sectional study, we examined racial disparities in campaigning activity across states and the association between US campaigners’ race and ethnicity and crowdfunding outcomes using a novel database of organ-transplant–related campaigns, and an algorithm to identify race and ethnicity based on name and geographic location. This analysis suggests that there are racial disparities in individuals’ ability to successfully raise requested funds, with Black and Hispanic campaigners fundraising lower amounts and less likely to achieve their monetary goals. We also found that crowdfunding among White, Black, and Hispanic populations exhibits different patterns of activity at the state level, and in relation to race-specific uninsurance and waitlist additions, highlighting potential differences in fundraising need across the 3 groups. Policy efforts should consider not only how inequalities in fundraising ability for associated costs influence accessibility to care but also how to identify clinical need among minorities.