The ultimate goal and mission of the National Kidney Foundation is the eradication of diseases of the kidney and urinary tract. About 20 million Americans are affected by kidney and urologic diseases, and millions more are at risk. Kidney disease is one of costliest illnesses in the U.S. today.
1. One in nine American adults--- more than 20 million --have kidney disease, and most don't know it.
2. More than 20 million others are at risk for kidney disease.
3. Risk factors for chronic kidney disease include:
* Diabetes
* High Blood Pressure
* Family History of kidney disease
4. Older individuals are at increased risk of developing kidney disease.
5. African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders are at increased risk for kidney disease.
6. Individuals with kidney disease have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, heart failure and stoke.
7. The treatments for kidney failure are : Hemodialysis, Peritoneal dialysis and Kidney Transplant
8. More than 5,100 Tennessee's have kidney failure and must undergo dialysis treatments, three times a week in order to live.
9. 1,100 Kidney patients in Tennessee are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
10. If you are at increased risk for chronic kidney disease
Since diseases of the kidney and urinary tract remain a major cause of illness and death in the U.S., a concerted effort by the government, the private sector and lay and medical volunteers is needed to ease their toll on society. The National Kidney Foundation and its 52 Affiliates with more than 200 chapters nationwide comprise the major voluntary health organization in the country whose purpose and efforts are directed solely to this end.
