According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure and more than half do not have their condition under control.
Why is that important to us? High blood pressure is the second-leading cause of kidney disease, after diabetes. May is high blood pressure awareness month, so we’re joining the CDC in highlighting this important message: Make control your goal.
Most cases of kidney disease could be prevented because the health conditions that most often cause it, including high blood pressure, can be controlled. When is the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Many of our free health screenings include blood pressure tests; check our calendar to see if there is an event near you.
I encourage you to take some time this month to learn more about the link between high blood pressure and kidney disease. Use this opportunity to make the Pair Up Promise, a simple pledge that can help protect you—and the people you love—from kidney disease.
Early this month we held our first-ever Philadephia Kidney Action Day, where thousands of people had the chance to learn about kidney health and the leading causes of kidney disease. We are so grateful to our national sponsor American Renal Associates and our lead regional sponsor U.S. Renal Care, Inc., who are supporting all of our 2013 Kidney Action Days. Please check our website for other cities and dates, and help us spread the word!
Having high blood pressure puts you at increased risk for kidney disease. High blood pressure can damage your kidneys, so it’s important to keep a healthy blood pressure. Learn more about what you can do to help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Center city Philadelphia was a hub of activity on May 3 during our first Kidney Action Day in the City of Brotherly Love. Thanks to our national sponsor American Renal Associates and our lead regional sponsor U.S. Renal Care, Inc. We are also grateful to our local sponsors who helped make the event a great success: the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Independence Blue Cross, Genentech and Novartis. Watch a slide show of the event.
NeShell Monroe, a dialysis patient and AKF Advocate, writes about participating in Kidney Action Day on the Hill, meeting with her Congressional offices to talk about the importance of early detection and prevention of kidney disease, and the impact of policy decisions on kidney patients.
The 7th Annual New York Spring Event will honor Dr. Steven N. Fishbane as Nephrologist of the Year and John J. Raggio as Humanitarian of the Year. Both are affiliated with New York’s North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. The event will take place June 5 at The Carltun in East Meadow, N.Y. Tickets are available online.
Do you live in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region? If so, please join us for our first Kidney Action Day Walk of 2013 on Saturday, June 22. By registering to walk and reaching out to friends and family to support you, you can take an active role in the fight against kidney disease. If you have family or friends in the D.C. region, please Pair Up to help us spread the word!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) has been a partner with AKF since 2011. This year, OWH has helped promote AKF’s Kidney Action Days throughout the country and the Regional Women’s Health Coordinators are coming out to events in their cities, including our recent event in Philadephia.
