World Kidney Day 2020 – Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease

World Kidney Day is observed on March 12 every year aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our kidneys.

World Kidney Day is commemorated every year as hundreds of events are held across the world to create awareness about preventive behaviour, risk factors and how to live with kidney disease.

World Kidney Day started in 2006 and has not stopped growing ever since. Every year, the global campaign highlights a particular theme.

Objectives of World Kidney Day

The main objective is to raise awareness about our kidneys for our health and ensure preventive behaviours to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and related health problems.

The campaign aims to highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It encourages systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for disease kidney disease.

World Kidney Days aims to encourage and educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high-risk populations.

Another objective is to stress on the role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. Governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening.

Lastly, the global campaign encourages transplantation as the best outcome option for kidney failure and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Kidney disease is a non-communicable disease (NCD) and currently affects around 850 million people worldwide. One in ten adults is reported to be suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The global burden of CKD is increasing and is projected to become the fifth most common cause of years of life lost globally by 2040. CKD is a major cause of catastrophic health expenditure. The costs of dialysis and transplantation consume 2–3 percent of the annual healthcare budget in high-income countries.

Kidney disease can be prevented and progression to end-stage kidney disease can be delayed with appropriate access to basic diagnostics and early treatment.

World Kidney Day 2020

The theme for World Kidney Day 2020 is “Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere – from Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care.”

World Kidney Day continues to raise awareness of the increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide and to strive for kidney health. The 2020 campaign highlights the importance of preventive interventions to prevent kidney disease.

In 2020, World Kidney Day calls on everyone to advocate for concrete measures to promote and advance kidney disease prevention. This calls for renewed focus on primary care, awareness raising, and education including patient empowerment and cross-specialty training.

Furthermore, CKD prevention must be integrated into health programs which are essential in improving early detection and tracking kidney diseases. This requires multi-sector collaboration between government, civil society, and health officers for inclusive health policy to promote prevention of kidney disease.

Preventive intervention

The term “chronic kidney disease” means lasting damage to the kidneys that can worsen over time. If the damage is severe, then your kidneys may stop working. This is called kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If your kidneys fail, this requires dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Anyone can be affected CKD but some people are more at risk than others. Some things that increase your risk for CKD include diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, having a family member with kidney disease, or being over 60 years old.

Kidneys help our body work properly and having CKD can affect how the rest of the body. Some of the common complications of CKD include anemia, bone disease, heart disease, high potassium, high calcium and fluid buildup.

Healthy Kidneys

CKD usually does not have any symptoms until your kidneys are badly damaged. The only way to know about your kidney health is to get tested which is simple and you should consult your doctor.

Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, or help keep them under control.  Several tips can lower the risk for kidney disease and the problems that cause such as following a low-salt, low-fat diet, exercising at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, having regular check-ups, quit smoke or use tobacco, and consumption of alcohol.

Damage to kidneys is usually permanent so take preventive measures for a healthy kidney.