Share Of Older Adults On Liver Transplant Waiting List Doubled Between 2002 & 2020

Among American adults waiting for a liver transplant, the share of those age 65 and older doubled between 2002 and 2020. During this same period, the population of Americans in the 65+ age group rose by 54%, from about 35 million to more than 54 million. In 2002, adults age 65 and older represented 9% of transplant candidates on the waiting list for that year. By 2020, older adults represented 23% of those on the waiting list.

A key cause of liver failure is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and the incidence of NASH among older adults seeking a liver transplant has . . .