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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Improving the understanding, detection, and management of kidney disease.

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March is National Kidney Month

Be a kidney health champion this March! Here are ways to promote kidney health among your loved ones, patients, and community.

World Kidney Day on March 14:

Focus on Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden loss of kidney function that can be caused by illness, injury, or certain medications. This kidney damage can be temporary or permanent. It can occur in a person with normal kidneys or in someone who already has kidney problems.

Did you know some medicines may harm your kidneys and cause AKI?
This March, check the medicines you are taking to see if any of them may harm your kidneys.

6 ways in 60 seconds to share kidney information.


  • Encourage friends and family to check their medicines for any that might harm their kidneys.

  • Raise awareness about the connection between diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease in the African American community.
    See more infographics.

  • Subscribe to Make the Kidney Connection News, a monthly e-newsletter that includes tips for talking about kidney health with your family and faith community.

    Subscribe

  • Connect with the kidney health community. Like the Make the Kidney Connection Facebook page. Health professionals, follow NKDEP Director Andrew Narva on Twitter.

  • Make this badge your Twitter or Facebook profile picture on March 14 for World Kidney Day. Or, add it to your website.

    Download
  • Hi [Name],

    I came across this information and thought it would be helpful. I recently learned that diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease, and I wanted to make sure you knew, too. Kidney disease is serious. It can cause the kidneys to fail. If the kidneys fail, treatment options such as dialysis or a kidney transplant can help people live longer and healthier lives. The good news is that there are things we can do to protect our kidneys. If you are at risk for kidney disease, talk to your health care provider about getting tested and about other ways to protect your kidneys and stay healthy. Let’s commit to supporting each other when it comes to our health.

    For more information about kidney disease, call 1-866-4-KIDNEY (1-866-454-3639) or visit nkdep.nih.gov. Join me online and like the Make the Kidney Connection page on Facebook (facebook.com/makethekidneyconnection).

    Sincerely,

    [Name here]

    Send an email to a family member or friend who has diabetes or high blood pressure to encourage them to get tested for kidney disease.

    See sample email

Looking to do more? There are many ways to improve kidney health during National Kidney Month and beyond!

bullet 1 If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of kidney failure, you may be at risk for kidney disease. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to get your blood and urine checked.
bullet 2 If you have been diagnosed with kidney disease, pledge to explore healthy diet and lifestyle changes to keep your kidneys healthier longer.
bullet 3 Remember to ask loved ones with any of the key risk factors for kidney disease to get their blood and urine checked for kidney disease.
bullet 4 If you are planning a family reunion, get a free copy of NKDEP's all new Family Reunion Guide to help family members make the kidney connection.
bullet 5 Work with your faith-based organization to arrange a Kidney Sundays event in March for National Kidney Month. NKDEP has a free Kidney Sundays toolkit to help you educate your faith-based community about kidney health.
bullet 6 Become an organ donor.

If you’re a health care professional or organization representative

bullet 1 Educators: create and implement lesson plans for counseling patients with chronic kidney disease with NKDEP’s online Kidney Disease Education Lesson Builder.
bullet 2 Dietitians: have patients with chronic kidney disease? Learn more about CKD medical nutrition therapy with NKDEP’s CKD Nutrition Management Training Program. You can even earn continuing education credits for the program from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
bullet 3 Primary Care Providers: get information and tools to help you better collaborate with nephrologists and dietitians.
bullet 4 Learn about best practices, barriers, recommendations, and resources for better detecting and treating CKD in the primary care setting.
bullet 5 Show members that your organization cares about kidney health by placing these customized badges on its website in March.
bullet 6 Tell others about NKDEP and its free resources by tailoring these articles for your next newsletter.

World Kidney Day

AKI is the focus of global efforts to recognize World Kidney Day on March 14. NIDDK Director Dr. Rodgers explains how the National Institutes of Health is working to reduce the burden of AKI.

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Page last updated: March 13, 2013