World Kidney Day 2019

Today marks the 14th annual, global awareness campaign, World Kidney Day.

There are often a host of health problems that come with kidney disease, so by raising awareness about what you can do to reduce the chance of contracting the illness, in turn, this will also reduce risk of getting the associated health risks.

World Kidney day is observed globally every year on the second Thursday in March, and as you can see from the map below, there is an incredible array of events taking place across the world.

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Every year, chronic kidney diseases are the cause of at least 2.4 million deaths and according to research is the 6th fastest growing  cause of death.

A different theme is assigned to focus on each year.  In the past, there have been themes such as; Kidney Disease & Obesity – Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys (2017), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and aging (2014), Protect your kidneys: Save your heart (2011) and the first ever campaign was, Are your kidneys OK? (2006).  2019’s theme is:

Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere

The World Kidney Day (WKD) website states:

“This year, World Kidney Day sets out to raise awareness of the high and increasing burden of kidney diseases worldwide and the need for strategies for kidney diseases prevention and management.”

“Screening of high-risk individuals and early diagnosis and treatment is cost effective to prevent or delay end-stage kidney diseases.”

Given that Chronic Kidney Disease is currently the 6th fastest growing cause of death, it’s important to act now.  Catching early signs, changing diet, leading a healthier lifestyle, exercising and watching your smoking can all be preventative measures.  Furthermore, clean water in more deprived countries/areas can make a huge difference, so it’s about having a more egalitarian society throughout the world so we all benefit from the right advice, help, medicine and healthcare required to help ALL of us look after our kidneys.

So let’s all get involved, spread the word and help to raise the awareness crucially needed.  Join the conversation on social media with #WorldKidneyDay – together we can make real change!

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