According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, early detection and management of diabetes and kidney disease are vital for avoiding heart disease and demanding end-stage kidney disease treatments such as dialysis. "There are roughly 2 million Canadians with—or at risk for—some degree of impaired kidney function," notes Dr. Michael Copland, a nephrologist and chair of the Kidney Foundation's Public Policy Council. "For 20 years, we saw a steady growth rate in the number of people starting dialysis in Canada. But in the last couple of years, the rate has reached a plateau. It's very possible that the aggressive early detection and intervention of kidney disease that has been going on for the last 10 years is beginning to show positive results."
While early disease intervention is possible and the treatments are increasingly successful, the science can't help Canadians who remain in the dark about diabetes being a major risk factor for end-stage kidney disease. "Public knowledge is not keeping pace with medical advances," says Paul Shay, National Executive Director of the Kidney Foundation of Canada. "And it's why our branches coast-to-coast remind Canadians about the important link between diabetes, kidney health and heart health."
Canadians can test their "kidney cleverness" by taking the Kidney Foundation's online kidney quiz. And they can take an active role in learning how diabetes can be controlled and how to better manage kidney disease, by consulting the Diabetes and Kidney Disease brochure and the Eating Guidelines for Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease fact sheet.
World Kidney Day takes place annually, every second Thursday of March. This global health awareness campaign focuses on the importance of kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. For more information on the World Kidney Day events taking place in Canadian communities, visit the events calendar. For more information on World Kidney Day activities around the world, visit the World Kidney Day website.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is the national health charity committed to kidney health, and to reducing the burden of kidney disease.
