LUTHERVILLE, Md. – In conjunction with National Kidney Month, the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland (NKF-MD) will provide free Kidney Health Risk Assessments (KHRA), Wednesday, Mar. 8, at the Brancati Center Health Awareness Hub in Baltimore (900 N. Washington St., 21205).
Offered as part of NKF-MD’s mission of early detection and early intervention, the KHRA helps identify adults at risk for chronic kidney disease and increases awareness of kidney disease risk factors in the community.
It uses a simple Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation, blood pressure measurement and a short six-question questionnaire to make participants aware of their risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Participants will receive brief consultations with physicians and dietitians to learn about kidney disease, as well as general nutrition and wellness guidelines.
Individuals not at risk will be given educational materials about maintaining good health, while those at risk will be directed to further screenings and advised to talk to medical professionals. Everyone is encouraged to follow up with their physician and to maintain regular primary care visits.
Additionally, people can take the first steps in the NKF-MD’s fight against kidney disease by registering for the 15th Annual Greater Baltimore Kidney Walk, taking place Sunday, Apr. 30, at UMBC.
Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States, killing more people every year than breast or prostate cancer. While 26 million Americans (1 in 9) live with chronic kidney disease, most don’t know it. In fact, 25 percent of the 1,170 people screened in 2016 by NKF-MD demonstrated significant results.
“We’d like to reduce these numbers by spreading the word that early detection and treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease,” said Pattie Dash,NKF-MD’s vice president of Mission Advancement.
Toward that end, the Foundation educated nearly 4,200 individuals through community outreach, health fairs and events in 2016.
For details about this KHRA event or NKF-MD’s other KHRA events and kidney screenings and outreach events, call 410.494.8545 or visit www.kidneymd.org.
About NKF-MD
Serving central and western Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of Virginia and West Virginia, the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneymd.org.
