Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness

When people develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), their kidneys become damaged and over time may not clean the blood as well as healthy kidneys. If kidneys do not work well, toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate in the body and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death. These conditions continue to disproportionately affect minority populations. However, people with CKD and people at risk for CKD can take steps to protect their kidneys with the help of their health care providers.

According to the CDC, CKD is common among US adults. Consider these facts found on CDC website.

• More than one in seven U.S. adults — about 35.5 million people, or 14 percent — are estimated to have CKD 
• As many as nine in 10 adults with CKD do not know they have it (many do not have symptoms)
• About one in three adults with severe CKD do not know they have CKD 
• CKD is more common in people aged 65 years or older (34 percent)
• CKD is slightly more common in women (14 percent)
• CKD is more common in Black Americans (20 percent), followed by Asian Americans (14 percent) and Hispanic Americans (14 percent)
• Approximately 14 percent of Hispanic adults have CKD 

Help Prevent CKD and Lower the Risk of Kidney Failure

• Understand and Manage risk factors
  • High blood sugar levels
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Body weight
• Test annually
• Encourage increased activity
• Education of medications and taking as instructed
• Regular healthcare visits

CKD risk factors are covered under Medicare Preventive Services such as screenings for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as intensive behavior counseling services for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Under Medicare Preventive Services more screenings can be found including information about annual wellness visits.

Resources

• CDC Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative — Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative | CDC
• CDC — Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023 (cdc.gov) 
• CMS — MLN006559 — Medicare Preventive Services (cms.gov)
• CMS Get Preventive Care — Get Preventive Care | CMS
• CMS Health Observances — Health Observances | CMS
• CMS The Medicare Learning Network — MLN Homepage | CMS
• Palmetto GBA Active Medical Review — Jurisdiction M Part A — JM Parts A, B and Home Health and Hospice Targeted Probe and Educate Active Medical Review List (palmettogba.com)