As global experts call on the World Health Organization to prioritize kidney disease, the urgent need for improved patient care and outcomes becomes clear. With rising mortality rates and a lack of public awareness, action is crucial to address this growing health crisis. Join us as we explore the recommendations, initiatives, and collaborative efforts driving progress in kidney disease care worldwide.
The World Health Organization (WHO) to prioritize kidney disease as a major non-communicable disease driver of premature mortality. Kidney disease’s global prevalence surpasses other NCDs prioritized by the WHO, and mortality rates are expected to double between 2016 and 2040. This underlines the urgency for action as chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly becoming one of the top causes of death worldwide.
Individuals with CKD face a higher risk of developing other NCDs and infections, leading to increased mortality rates, symptom burden, and financial strain. Despite these alarming trends, public awareness regarding kidney disease remains low, thereby impeding efforts to mitigate risk factors and enhance early diagnosis.
Recommendations to the WHO include measures such as improving access to care, implementing prevention strategies, launching awareness campaigns, allocating funds for research, and addressing social determinants of health. Urgent action is necessary to bridge disparities in kidney health and attain equity in kidney care on a global scale.
In the UK, Kidney Research UK is spearheading collaborative efforts and innovative approaches to expedite research and enhance patient outcomes in kidney disease. A recent report indicates a significant number of individuals in the UK are affected by chronic kidney disease, resulting in a substantial economic burden. Medical research charities are also concentrating on accelerating innovations to enhance patient experiences and outcomes in kidney disease care.
Furthermore, patient involvement is deemed crucial in the journey of commercializing medical innovations and conducting post-market surveillance. Charities play a vital role in offering essential resources, expertise, and guidance to fast-track research and drive innovation in kidney disease care.
Collaboration across various sectors is pivotal in leveraging collective power to enhance patient outcomes in kidney disease treatment. Kidney Research UK has introduced the Kidney Data Science Catalyst with the aim of expediting the quest for improved methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney disease.
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