CONTACT:
Robert Griffin
National Kidney Foundation of Northern California and Northern Nevada
415-543-3303, ext. 108
Email: Robert@kidneynca.org
Website: www.kidneynca.org

SACRAMENTO, CA --- To celebrate World Kidney Day and to promote early kidney health screening, The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) held a free health screening on March 11 and 12 for legislators and their staff, as well as state and governmental relations employees. The most startling result was a sharp increase in previously undiagnosed kidney disease compared to NKF's screening results in 2007.

More than 150 people were screened over the two day period. A nephrologist (a medical doctor specializing in kidney disease) reviewed all results and those with values indicating the need for immediate follow up with their personal physicians were contacted personally. All participants are receiving a letter with their personal screening results.

The results show the need for early screening and reflect serious health trends facing Californians: the sharp rise in conditions that are known to cause kidney failure and heart disease.

Of those screened:

• 43% had high or above ideal blood pressure.
• 37% had high total cholesterol (greater than 200 mg/dL).
• 18% had elevated blood sugars that indicate possible diabetes.
• 53% were either overweight or obese according to their BMI (Body Mass Index).
• Two people were shown to have kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes -- with both the diabetes and kidney disease unknown prior to this screening.
• Four more people were shown to have possible kidney disease and were referred to their doctors for further testing.
• The average age of the participants was only 45. This is significant when considering the long term effects of uncontrolled high blood pressure, high cholesterol and elevated blood sugar, both for the individual's quality of life and the burden of increasing health care costs on all Californians.

The need for increased health screenings for at-risk Californians and for greater awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease was also recognized by the state Assembly via HR 26, a resolution introduced by Assemblyman Mark Leno and passed unanimously. The resolution officially recognizes World Kidney Day in California and encourages those at-risk to be screened.

Why is this information important?

1. 26 million Americans have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), though a majority doesn't know it because symptoms often don't present until kidney failure is imminent.
2. The two leading causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. For many, both are preventable. For all, both conditions are treatable, particularly in the early stages. Early detection of diabetes and high blood pressure, followed by health education and support, are critical to slowing, arresting or preventing the progression of CKD.
3. As CKD progresses, it may lead to kidney failure, forcing people to either go on dialysis or undergo a kidney transplant to survive. However, the majority of people with CKD will die due to other causes, particularly heart disease, before reaching dialysis.
4. Three simple tests can help detect CKD: a blood pressure reading, urine testing and a blood test to determine serum creatinine. Currently, fewer than 20% of those at-risk due to diabetes, hypertension or other factors receive adequate screening for CKD.
5. The overall hospitalization rate of people with CKD is 4 to 6 times higher than that of people without CKD. It is estimated that the cost of medical care per CKD patient is over $40,000 per year, more than twice that of patients of similar age/gender without CKD.

What can be done?

• Increased awareness of CKD, its risk factors and treatments, both among the general public and within the healthcare community, can save thousands of lives and billions in healthcare dollars.
• Screening for CKD, whether in a clinical setting or through programs such as the NKF's free Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), is both effective and inexpensive-particularly when compared to the long-term cost of undetected CKD.
• Health & wellness education and management programs can improve outcomes for people with CKD, reduce hospitalizations, and help people live longer, healthier lives.

The National Kidney Foundation of Northern California & Northern Nevada and its constituents support public policy initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and improving assessment, education and care for people with or at-risk for CKD.

All NKF community programs are offered free of charge and are made possible through the dedication of NKF volunteers and the generosity of philanthropic individuals and organizations throughout the area.

For more information please contact:
Robert Griffin at 415-543-3303, ext. 108
Robert@kidneynca.org
www.kidneynca.org