WORLD KIDNEY DAY 2007 KEY MESSAGES

Background

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) jointly launched a World Kidney Day to take place on the 1st Thursday of March every year. The purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys and to spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable. This is the second World Kidney Day to draw attention to the worldwide need for early detection and prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).placeholder

The slogan for this year is — "ARE YOUR KIDNEYS OK?"

Objective: To positively influence the Public Health and the Public Health agenda relating to kidney disease by:

• Making people more aware of their kidneys.
• Helping people to improve their health and that of their kidneys.
• Helping inform Primary Care of the process of referral of CKD patients (follow the guidelines).
• Effectively communicating to specific at risk groups including : South Asians, Black African Caribbean, Diabetics, People with high blood pressure, Obese individuals and Smokers or where there is a history of Vascular and or Kidney Disease.

Key Messages:

• Are you in this group of at risk people?
  If so, talk to your GP about your kidneys.
• The worse the eGFR the worse the risk.
• There are a lot of people with CKD.
• Things are being done – For those at risk, there are things that they can do to help

  Managing hypertension,
  Keeping weight down,
  Stop smoking,
  Exercise more.

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