The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland (NKF-MD) will have an exhibit at the African American Festival, taking place July 2-3, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Camden Yards Sports Complex (333 West Camden St., 21201).
As part of NKF-MD’s mission of early detection and early intervention, NKF-MD will explain why the kidneys are important, discuss risk factors for kidney disease and give recommendations for protecting the kidneys.
This information is critical because African Americans are 3.5 times more likely than Caucasians to experience kidney failure. In fact, African Americans constitute more than 35 percent of all American dialysis patients.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in African Americans. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as Caucasians. Approximately 4.9 million African Americans over 20 years of age are living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure among African Americans, and remains the leading cause of death due to its link with heart attacks and strokes.
“Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure,” said Traci Barnett, NKF-MD’s president and CEO. “African Americans need to be aware of these risk factors and visit their doctor or clinic regularly to check their blood sugar, blood pressure, urine protein and kidney function.
For details about kidney disease, NKF-MD’s AFRAM exhibit or its other outreach events and kidney screenings, call: 410-494-8545 or visit: www.kidneymd.org.