NKF Hosts Black History Month Health Panel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(NEW YORK, NEW YORK, February 26, 2025) — In honor of Black History Month, The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) hosted “Empowering Black Communities Through Kidney Health” a powerful and inspiring Health Panel focused on the intersection of culture, wellness and kidney health in the Black community.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including a disproportionately high number of African Americans in the United States.
On Tuesday February 24, 2025, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and activists sat down for an engaging discussion to explore the complex factors contributing to the higher prevalence of CKD among African Americans, including genetic predisposition, socioeconomic disparities, and access to healthcare. The panel also discussed the latest research on CKD prevention, treatment, and management strategies specifically tailored to the African American population.
“CKD is a critical health issues impacting Black individuals,” said Panelist and President of the National Kidney Foundation, Dr. Kirk Campbell. “Our goal is to raise awareness, encourage early detection, promote healthy lifestyle choices and start a conversation to improve the lives of those living with or at risk of CKD.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and learn about resources available to support Kidney Health in the Black Community.
Panelists included.
Jummy Olabanji: co-anchor, News4 Today, NBC Washington DC and organ donor advocate.
Dr. Kirk Campbell: NKF President and Chief of the Renal-Electrolyte and Hypertension Division at the University of Pennsylvania
Anthony Tuggle: 25-year kidney transplant recipient and President of Customer Operations at Afiniti. Anthony is currently on dialysis and waiting for a second transplant.
Brian Kennedy: four-time Grammy Award-winner songwriter, producer, pianist, and founder of “Hits To Healing”
This Black History Month Health Panel is a moment to reflect on the rich cultural history and resilience of the Black community while also addressing the critical need for increased Kidney health awareness, and education.
Watch Replay HERE
About Kidney Disease
In the United States, more than 35 million adults are estimated to have kidney disease, also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD)—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. About 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. are at risk for kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Black or African American people are about four times as likely as White people to have kidney failure. Hispanics experience kidney failure at about double the rate of White people.
About the National Kidney Foundation
The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about NKF, visit www.kidney.org.
Media Contact:
Jade Rivera-McFarlin
Dir. Marketing & Communications
jade.riveramcfarlin@kidney.org
413-537-1155