Newswise — The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is pleased to join the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF), and other kidney-related organizations worldwide in recognizing the fifth annual World Kidney Day (WKD) on Thursday, March 10. ASN leaders will visit Capitol Hill and meet with members of Congress to advocate on behalf of patients with kidney disease.
This year’s WKD theme, Protect Your Kidneys and Save Your Heart, highlights the important links between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. An editorial by ASN’s Public Policy Board in the March issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) explains, “CKD accelerates the progression of heart disease and increases the likelihood of major cardiovascular events and related deaths. Cardiovascular disease now accounts for more than half of all deaths among people with kidney failure.”
Organizations participating in World Kidney Day raise awareness of the importance of kidneys and their function, highlight diabetes and high blood pressure as key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and encourage patients with these conditions to seek screening for CKD. As part of WKD, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is offering free screenings nationwide through its Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), to help screen people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease.
In a recent statement, NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Director Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, said of WKD, “We’re asking people to consider the link between kidney and heart disease and what they can do to protect their kidney health on this important day.”
“ASN commends Dr. Rodgers for his recent statement in support of World Kidney Day,” said ASN President Joseph V. Bonventre, MD, PhD, FASN. “And, we encourage the entire nephrology community worldwide to recognize WKD 2011. World Kidney Day is a prime opportunity for the kidney community to raise awareness about improving the health of millions of kidney and heart patients.”
The International Society of Nephrology and the International Society of Kidney Foundations, who co-established World Kidney Day, jointly published an article entitled World Kidney Day 2011: Protect Your Kidneys, Save Your Heart in the February issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).
Founded in 1966, and with more than 12,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.
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