04/23/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2024 12:52
Veterans have higher rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than the general population. While kidney disease affects one in seven Americans, it affects about one in six Veterans, including more than 40,000 VA-enrolled Veterans with kidney failure.
VA and the American Kidney Fund (AKF) collaborate to maintain and enhance health care resources and support for the estimated 600,000 Veterans with CKD. Facilitated by VHA's National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP), the VHA-AKF partnership will soon be renewed under the management of the VHA Office of Kidney Medicine.
Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting 37 million Americans nationwide. Additionally, diabetes and high blood pressure, the two leading causes of kidney disease, affect 25% and 81% of the Veteran population. AKF's mission is to fight kidney disease and help people live healthier lives. This includes supporting people with kidney disease at every stage of their disease, fighting for kidney health equity, providing financial assistance to patients in need and providing research grants to nephrology fellows.
"Tackling the health equity crisis in the kidney community is one of AKF's top priorities. There are significant racial and ethnic disparities for Veterans with kidney disease, with Black Veterans nearly twice as likely as non-Hispanic white Veterans to develop CKD," said Michael Spigler, vice president, Patient Support and Education, American Kidney Fund. "By collaborating with VA, we hope to expand access to valuable health care resources and empower Veterans to prevent kidney disease altogether."
American Kidney Fund financial assistance to over 6,000 Veterans
AKF's initiatives help raise awareness about Veterans and kidney disease nationwide. AKF has provided financial assistance to over 6,000 Veterans, and the Know Your Kidneys campaign videos were shared in approximately 1,700 VA clinics across the country.
"HAP is committed to increasing health care resources and access to care for Veterans with kidney disease by leveraging resources inside and outside of VA," said Georgi Bady, HAP health system specialist. "The VHA-AKF partnership is a valuable resource supporting VA's goal to help Veterans living with kidney disease receive the best care possible."
American Kidney Fund resources
VA resources
VHA - AKF partnership resources
For more information about VA partnerships, visit the HAP website.
For more information about CKD resources, visit the American Kidney Fund website.