NKF is Transforming the Fight Against Kidney Disease with KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL™

Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation Health equity

October 03, 2023

Imagine a different future for kidney disease. A future where every person has equal access to quality kidney care and accelerated innovation for patients. A future without structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. A future where there is KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL™. 

Here's how we plan to do it.

Drive public action

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Kidney disease is a public health crisis, affecting an estimated 37 million people in the U.S. Educating the public about kidney disease is a top priority. 

The first step is to connect patient advocates with lawmakers.

"Patient stories are such a powerful way to educate lawmakers," said Sharon Pearce, NKF's Senior Vice President of Government Relations. "NKF staff can write testimony and spout statistics and craft policy solutions, but it is really the voices of patients–their hardships,  heartaches, and triumphs–that inspire change."

See all the ways you can share your voice with NKF.

Increase education and awareness

80 million U.S. adults (1 in 3) are at risk of kidney disease. Family, friends, neighbors.

Most don't know it. We are working with healthcare professionals to change that.

“Not enough practitioners know how important routine kidney health evaluations are,” said Silvia Ferrè, NKF’s Senior Director of Patient Outcomes Research. “Timely diagnosis allows people to receive early support and education. NKF can connect patients to a variety of patient programs. We empower them through education, peer support, and participation in research."

Learn about treatments for kidney failure.

Accelerate change

Stark health disparities exist in America's 37 million kidney disease patients. People of color are at an increased risk of kidney disease but not because of genetics. Economic and social factors, like discrimination, influence health 70% more than genetics do.

We believe these inequities are unacceptable.

“Ultimately, CKD is a health equity issue,” said Dr. Sylvia Rosas, NKF President. “These disparities have less to do with genetics and everything to do with social determinants of health. If we can identify individuals with CKD earlier–at a more manageable stage of their disease–we can slow disease progression and help achieve better outcomes.

These disparities are disheartening but we're committed to confronting them.

Here's how we will create a fairer system for all patients:

  • Focus on the adoption of the race-free eGFR kidney disease screening tool.
  • Remove race from the Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI).
  • Collaborate with community health workers about high-risk patients and social determinants of health.
  • Research new ways to assess and communicate kidney disease risk.
  • Improve living standards, education, economic security, and more.

Learn more about KIDNEY EQUITY FOR ALL™.

How you can help

Are you ready to get involved and make a difference?

Here's how you can support NKF:

See all the ways you can support National Kidney Foundation today.