It is no secret that African Americans are three times more likely to be impacted by kidney failure. Now there’s a new initiative will help inform about dialysis options available for those living with kidney disease and how to access the best services locally based on their needs.

The NAACP announced that, with support from Baxter International Inc., it is launching a series of town hall events in communities across the country to bring needed information about prevention and treatment of kidney disease to African Americans, whose rates of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease continue to rise at alarming rates.

Entitled “NAACP Dialysis Health Imperative for Access, Choice, and Equity (ACE),” the program will inform communities about access to care for kidney disease, options for dialysis treatment, and the disproportionate impact of kidney disease on African Americans.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, African Americans comprise 32 percent of Americans with kidney failure—a rate more than double their representation in the national population.

Dr. Marjorie Innocent, NAACP’s senior director of health programs, said: “Given the high rates of African Americans and people of color living with kidney disease, it is important that they have the information needed to manage their illness effectively and access the best treatment modalities available, including home-based therapies. At the same time, there needs to be more targeted efforts in communities nationwide to inform people about how to prevent kidney disease and live healthier lives.”

It is good to see the NAACP working to bring kidney disease prevention and treatment education and awareness to the African American community to help people take better charge of their kidney health.

Kidney Health

The town hall series will include visits to Los Angeles, Jackson, Miss., and Chicago between January and April 2017.  More information about each event can be found on the NAACP website, www.naacp.org.

Kidney Health