American Kidney Fund Calls for Increased Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Light of New Government Report on Health Disparities

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) June 10, 2009 - The American Kidney Fund today called for increased awareness of the impact of chronic kidney disease in light of a new report which illustrates alarming health disparities in the United States.

The report, Health Disparities: A Case for Closing the Gap, was issued yesterday by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Among its findings are that racial and ethnic minorities have high rates of chronic diseases, such as obesity, cancer, diabetes, and AIDS. The report also cites the fact that racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations experience serious disparities in rates of insurance and access to health care.

"We are grateful to Secretary Sebelius for focusing attention on the critical problem of health disparities in the United States, and we hope to draw public attention to the fact that chronic kidney disease is one of the conditions that disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities," said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. "Having access to preventative services is one of the keys to avoiding chronic kidney disease, because it is most often a complication of diabetes or high blood pressure. Unfortunately, people who lack health insurance also frequently lack access to such routine care."

An estimated 31 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and at least 20 million more are at risk. Left undiagnosed and untreated, CKD can lead to cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. There is no cure for kidney failure; it can be treated only with dialysis or transplantation. Today, more than 500,000 people in the United States are being treated for kidney failure, and it is estimated that by 2020, nearly 800,000 Americans will be in treatment for kidney failure.

Compared to Caucasians, African Americans are nearly 4 times more likely to develop kidney failure; Native Americans are nearly 2 times more likely; Asian Americans are nearly 1.5 times more likely; and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have kidney failure than non-Hispanics. The leading causes of kidney failure are diabetes and hypertension, which together account for more than 70 percent of new cases. In many cases, kidney failure is a preventable condition.

"Kidney failure takes an enormous physical toll on the health of an individual, and it poses a very significant financial challenge--not only to patients and their families, but to our nation's health care system as a whole," said Burton. In 2006, Medicare's costs for treating kidney failure were $23 billion, 6.4 percent of the total Medicare budget. Hemodialysis treatment cost Medicare nearly $72,000 per patient, per year, in 2006. Those numbers are even larger when other complications and co-morbidities related to kidney disease are included.

Individuals with kidney failure often find it difficult to maintain full-time employment and face severe economic challenges. Last year, the American Kidney Fund provided nearly $120 million in direct, treatment-related assistance to dialysis patients nationwide. This assistance helped them to maintain their health insurance coverage and to pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance. The American Kidney Fund also conducts education and prevention outreach, including a kidney disease screening program aimed at minority populations in several cities with high rates of kidney failure.

"The bottom line is that for the millions of people who are at risk for chronic kidney disease, increased access to health insurance and preventative care could result in earlier detection and reduced rates of this very serious condition," said Burton.

About the American Kidney Fund

The mission of the American Kidney Fund is to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to kidney patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts. In 2008, the American Kidney Fund provided treatment-related grants to 75,000 kidney patients totaling more than $119.5 million. The American Kidney Fund reaches tens of thousands of individuals each year with information about kidney health; operates a kidney disease screening program in high-risk communities; and maintains a toll-free HelpLine (866-300-2900) which provides education about kidney disease. The American Kidney Fund is a seven-time recipient of the highest "Four Star" rating from Charity Navigator; holds an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy; adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence; and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit www.kidneyfund.org.

Understanding Kidney Disease

American Kidney Fund Calls for Increased Awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Light of New Government Report on Health Disparities

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