The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland Serving Maryland and Delaware (NKF-MD-DE) will bring its free Kidney Health Risk Assessment (KHRA) to the Go Pink Go Blue Health Fair Expo taking place, Saturday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Mount Pleasant Church & Ministries (6000 Radecke Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21206).
Offered as part of NKF’s mission of early detection and early intervention, the KHRA helps identify adults at risk for chronic kidney disease and increases awareness of kidney disease risk factors in the community.
It uses a simple Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation, blood pressure measurement and a short six-question questionnaire to make participants aware of their risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Participants will receive brief consultations with physicians and dietitians to learn about kidney disease, as well as general nutrition and wellness guidelines.
Individuals not at risk will be given educational materials about maintaining good health, while those at risk will be directed to further screenings and advised to talk to medical professionals. Everyone is encouraged to follow up with their physician and to maintain regular primary care visits.
Although 30 million people are estimated to have CKD, 96 percent of those with early kidney disease (stages 1 and 2) don’t even know they have CKD. In fact, 25 percent of the 1,170 people screened in 2016 by NKF-MD-DE demonstrated significant results.
“Overall, CKD affects 15 percent of the U.S. adult population,” said Pattie Dash, executive director of the National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware. “It is imperative we try to reduce these numbers locally through community outreach events like this Expo.”
For details about this KHRA or other upcoming screenings and outreach events, visit www.kidneymd.org or call 410.494.8545 to speak with associate executive director, Jessica Quintilian.
About NKF
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. For more information, visit www.kidney.org.
