Black Kidney Health Matters

33% of American adults are at risk for kidney disease (yes, one in three people), and if you are Black or African American, you are more than 3 times as likely to have kidney failure compared to White Americans. This is largely driven by economic, structural, and social determinants of health that have unfairly impacted Black Americans, and as a result, Black populations have much higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease… all of which increases the risk for kidney disease. In addition, the way in which kidney disease was traditionally diagnosed underestimated the presence and/or severity of disease in Black or African American people delaying important interventions to preserve kidney function.

Take control of your kidney health in three simple ways to STOP or delay kidney failure. 

Minority populations have much higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease, all of which increase the risk for kidney disease. Access to healthcare may also play a role. The key is to find kidney disease as early as possible and understand its risk factors before the trouble starts. Regular testing for everyone is important and is especially important for people at risk.