Experts know that there are racial disparities in the frequency of severe sepsis, a condition in which people develop severe infections accompanied by organ dysfunction. But they are still working to understand why such differences exist and the best strategies to use to minimize them. According to the results of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, black patients have a greater incidence of severe sepsis than white patients -- and that is due to both higher rates of infections and a higher risk of conditions that lead to organ failure.