On Saturday, January 5, 2019, the National Kidney Foundation of Florida offered a free kidney health check at Orlando’s Dr James R. Smith Community Center. The purpose of this event was to promote kidney health awareness and identify those at risk for kidney disease.
During this event, participants were assessed for their risk of developing kidney disease, given free educational materials and spoke with healthcare professionals regarding their risk assessment survey results.
Notably, kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States and African Americans with kidney disease are more likely to develop kidney failure than any other group.
Major risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure and being age 60 or older. In America, 1 in 3 adults is at risk for kidney disease. Since this silent killer presents no symptoms, testing is important because early detection and treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease. The National Kidney Foundation of Florida urges everyone to KEEP healthy and be evaluated by your doctor if you’re at risk. Local sponsors for this event were City of Orlando District 6 Commissioner Samuel B. Ings, National Association For The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, Siemens Laboratory and Central Florida Black Nurses Association, Inc.
A special thanks to the Smith Center Staff, Volunteers, participants and to all who helped make this a successful health promotion initiative.
Further information on prevention and treatment of kidney disease is available at kidneyfl.org or you may call 407-894-7325.
