NKF to mark World Kidney Day by promoting equal access to care
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Key takeaways:
- The National Kidney Foundation will raise awareness about kidney health and chronic kidney disease during National Kidney Month in March.
- World Kidney Day lands on March 14.
The National Kidney Foundation is set to recognize World Kidney Day on March 14 by advocating its patient-focused group Kidney Equity for All, according to a press release.
The NKF will raise awareness about kidney health and chronic kidney disease in underserved communities and promote the movement, which is designed to ensure equity in access to care.
“Black and Hispanic populations have the most significant kidney disease burden and the highest rates of kidney disease mortality,” Sylvia E. Rosas, MD, president of the NKF, said in the release. “Despite this, they are exposed to inequities in kidney care including evaluation and obtaining a kidney transplant. It is imperative that health leaders prioritize actions to promote and achieve equity in kidney care.”
The NKF highlighted the following ways it will mark World Kidney Day during National Kidney Month:
- The Kidney Risk Quiz, knowledge assessment tool from the NKF, has reached more than 400,000 Black and Hispanic people and more than 700,000 people of diverse backgrounds.
- With NKF support, lawmakers have proposed removing the race qualifier from the kidney disease risk index, with a goal of increasing the number of kidneys available for transplant. Currently, kidneys donated by Black patients may be miscalculated as having poorer organ function, the NKF noted.
- NKF is advocating that the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network require U.S. transplant centers use a race-free equation to determine eligibility. Previous use of eGFR limited access for Black candidates due to over-estimated kidney function.
- The NKF has partnered with insurers, health care providers and federally qualified health centers for targeted screening in high-risk populations.
“NKF is leading the way to make sure all Americans have high-quality kidney care — from diagnosis to dialysis care, to transplant and beyond,” Kevin Longino, CEO of the NKF and transplant recipient, said in the release. “We are committed to creating a community where there is kidney equity for all.”
Reference:
National Kidney Foundation recognizes March as National Kidney Month. https://www.kidney.org/news/national-kidney-foundation-recognizes-march-national-kidney-month#:~:text=(Feb.,chronic%20kidney%20disease%20(CKD). Published Feb. 29, 2024. Accessed Mar. 6, 2023.
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