Prevention and disease management
Building awareness of diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the top causes of kidney disease. Emphasizing the importance of testing in high-risk communities.
We believe in kidney health for all
Everyone deserves to be as healthy as they can, no matter where they live, what language they speak or the color of their skin. But in kidney disease, race and ethnicity play a significant role. At the American Kidney Fund, we are working to change that — we believe in health equity.
Our commitment to you and your community
We're fighting for health equity in kidney disease
We live in a nation where Black and Hispanic people fare worse with kidney disease than White people who have it. Black and Hispanic people are more likely to develop kidney failure and are less likely to receive a kidney transplant. It doesn't have to be this way.
Our programs put solutions into practice that help break down common barriers — so that all people can equally prevent and get treatment for kidney disease.
WATCH
Webinar: Battling Health Disparities in Treating Chronic Kidney Disease
Watch the webinar featuring AKF President and CEO LaVarne A. Burton. This webinar is part of AKF's ongoing Health Equity Initiative efforts and is hosted by U.S. News & World Report.
Structural Racism, Historical Redlining, and Incidence of Kidney Failure in U.S. Cities
Researchers found higher rates of kidney failure in historically redlined neighborhoods across all races and higher rates in Black adults across all neighborhoods, demonstrating the long-term impact this historically discriminatory policy had on health disparities in kidney disease.
Our solutions
There are treatments for kidney disease. Silence isn't one of them.
For decades, the American Kidney Fund has advanced kidney disease prevention, management, treatment and transplant, clinical research and advocacy. Building on these efforts, we are focused on the solutions that can tackle kidney disease disparities head-on:
Home dialysis
Increasing understanding and adoption of home dialysis, which can result in better health outcomes.
Diversity in clinical trials
Recruiting a more diverse pool of participants to reflect the populations the medications will treat.
Transplant access
Removing barriers to transplant
Why we are impatient for change
About 37 million Americans are living with kidney disease, but research shows that it impacts people of different backgrounds in different ways.
MORE SEVERE
Compared to white people, Black people are 4 times as likely to develop kidney failure and Hispanic people are twice as likely.
HIGHER RISK
Black and Hispanic people are more likely to have diabetes and high blood pressure, the two top causes of kidney disease.
LESS ACCESS
Black and Hispanic Americans are less likely to be referred to a nephrologist (kidney doctor) until the later stages of kidney disease.
LESS INCLUSION
Black and Hispanic people are less likely to participate in home dialysis, less likely to enroll in clinical trials and less likely to receive a kidney from a living donor.
Kidney health inequities
Lives are at stake
Kidney disease is the fastest-growing non-contagious disease in the United States. Currently, about 37 million Americans have kidney disease and millions more are at risk.
People of all races and backgrounds can have kidney disease, but people of color are more likely to have their kidneys fail (completely stop working). When your kidneys fail, you need dialysis or a transplant to survive.
Some causes are genetic, but the United States Department of Health and Human Services studies have shown that social determinants of health, structural racism and implicit bias can result in Black and Hispanic people:
Not receiving proper care in earlier stages of kidney disease
Not being invited to consider home dialysis
Not qualifying to receive kidney transplants.
Everyone deserves their best kidney health
This is our mission
In spite of the challenges, it only takes one person at a time — armed with the right tools and knowledge — to take lifesaving action. The American Kidney Fund provides the help and support that you need to join the fight for health equity.
People are the central focus of our work. Listening to the needs and hopes of kidney patients is at the center of all we do. That's why our foremost priority is ensuring kidney health for all people.
WATCH: Kidney patients talk about health equity
The CARE Act is so important because it is going to ensure that there are studies that will take a look at why kidney disease is so prominent when it comes to rural communities and underserved, underrepresented racial backgrounds.
American Kidney Fund Health Equity Coalition
We are in your corner
People and organizations across the health care community are working together to improve health equity. To advance these efforts, AKF has assembled a group of health professionals, patients and advocates to form the AKF Health Equity Coalition. This group works with us to develop evidence-based solutions to help achieve health equity in kidney disease. We are grateful to our AKF Health Equity Coalition members.
Working together
HEALTH EQUITY CHAMPIONS
We are grateful to the corporations that are providing the funding support to make a difference in our health equity work.
Presenting Sponsors
Equity Sponsor
Additional Support
How to use this website
Tools and resources
Throughout Kidney Health for All, you will find empowering tools and resources that can help you have productive conversations with your doctors and make informed decisions for your health care. We'll be updating the site as we build more resources, so check back often.