ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Nearly one in 9 Michigan adults has chronic kidney disease, but most don’t know it.
Often linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, early detection and treatment can keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse.
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) and the University of Michigan Health System’s Division of Nephrology have partnered to host a World Kidney Day event, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., March 15 in the Dow Auditorium lobby of University Hospital.
The NKFM will offer free kidney, blood pressure, and depression screenings throughout the day. In addition to free health screenings, there will be prize raffles, patient care information, exercise demonstrations, kidney-friendly cooking demonstrations, and healthy snacks.
A joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations, the aim of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its risk factors worldwide.
Who should come: Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any age, but some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease. You have an increased risk of kidney disease if you:
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Have a family history of chronic kidney disease
- Are older
- Belong to a population group with a high rate of diabetes or high blood pressure, such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders and American Indians.
This year’s event will also have a special focus on acute kidney failure from injury.
For more information on the World Kidney Day event, contact June Swartz at the NKFM at (800) 482-1455 or firstname.lastname@example.org. For more information about kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, visit www.nkfm.org.