Addressing Chronic Kidney Disease Through Prevention, Detection, and Management

PUBLISHED 15 December 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), the gradual loss of kidney function over time, is a condition that affects more than 1 in 7 American adults—an estimated 37 million people. However, as many as 9 out of 10 U.S. adults living with CKD are unaware they have the condition because symptoms typically don’t appear until CKD is advanced. This growing public health threat exemplifies many of the shortcomings and inequities of the broader healthcare system.

To better understand the gaps and barriers to CKD prevention, early detection, and management, the Milken Institute Center for Public Health brought together leaders from the public, private, nonprofit, health, and academic sectors to envision a pathway that addresses the public health and healthcare system needs related to CKD.

The initiative—sponsored by AstraZeneca— resulted in a report and roadmap that explore ways to positively impact the CKD ecosystem. The report applies a public health approach, focusing on pressing issues relevant to the CKD community as well as concrete solutions to catalyze policy, system, and environmental change towards CKD prevention and care. The roadmap acts as a guide to put these strategies in motion, equitably and sustainably.

Driving Change in the CKD Ecosystem

Tackling these strategies requires support and bold action across the U.S., including a collective effort from policymakers, government agencies, payers, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and community members:

Policymakers are uniquely positioned to shape public health through funding and advocating for the prevention and treatment of CKD.
Government agencies can enforce safer and higher quality healthcare through CKD research and treatment options for the disease.
Payer stakeholders are essential in making a difference in CKD prevention by changing how treatment centers are paid and ensuring consistent diagnostic measures of CKD.
Healthcare providers – the foundation of CKD prevention and management – play a major role in introducing new therapies and improving patient care to shift the CKD treatment landscape.

How You Can Make an Impact

Now more than ever, it’s important to come together to increase awareness of CKD prevention, detection, and management to address this public health issue. As a member of your community, you can get involved through community engagement and advocacy opportunities, including:

Participating in public comment opportunities to inform the outcome of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation process for CKD and advocating for USPSTF to publish its final recommendation statement for CKD before the end of 2023.
Sharing resources that help people take a more active role in managing their health and interacting with those impacted by CKD via online platforms such as Unfiltered Kidney Conversations (UKC).
Becoming an advocate to influence CKD health policy and improve care, as well as educating others on the risks and challenges associated with CKD.