World Kidney Day - "Keep the pressure down"

Next event - Thursday, March 11 2010

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of our kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. The campaign is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March.

In 2009 - the fourth World Kidney Day - the campaign highlighted the importance of high blood pressure as one of the key symptoms and causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The campaign was another formidable success with 370 different events taking place in 100 countries and territories across 6 continents. Participating organizations around the world will issue a call for action to measure and manage high blood pressure, as well as organize screening events to detect Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

World Kidney Day is a global partnership project of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations and International Society of Nephrology partnership - www.worldkidneyday.org

Kidney Health Australia has been a proud IFKF Council Member from the IFKF's inception in 2000.

World Kidney Day Event 2009 - Australia

To celebrate World Kidney Day we are proudly announced that Australian motor racing legend Sir Jack Brabham OBE will unite with REPCO to fight chronic kidney disease. This is the company that he combined with to create the foundation of Australian motor sport some fifty years ago.

Sir Jack Brabham, who suffers from kidney failure and his wife Lady Margaret Brabham are patrons of Kidney Health Australia. Kidney Health Australia and REPCO have announced a major partnership to raise community awareness of Kidney Disease in Australia and funds to assist patients. Sir Brabham said "Living with kidney failure has been one of the toughest drives of my life and the support of REPCO in assisting the Australian community become more aware of Chronic Kidney Disease will be a major boost to the prevention of the disease in Australia and the work of Kidney Health Australia." Read more detail here.

In Australia these facts should be noted:

1 in 3 adults is at increased risk of developing CKD
1 in 7 adults have at least one clinical sign of existing CKD
A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before experiencing any symptoms
Approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure each day
11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with, kidney failure
Every day, 6 Australians commence expensive dialysis or transplantation to stay alive
It costs approximately $60,000 per annum to keep a person alive on dialysis
Most people with CKD will die from cardiovascular causes before requiring dialysis or transplantation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience excessive death and disability due to CKD
The dialysis-dependent population has risen by an average of 8% per year over the past decade, and is being fuelled by the ageing population, and Type 2 diabetes epidemic

Kidney Health Australia has warned of the link between kidney disease and high blood pressure indicating that 80% of those with kidney failure suffer from high blood pressure. With 40 Australians daily dying of kidney failure Kidney Health Australia urges Australians to "keep the pressure down"!

World Kidney Day events

Anita Narduzzo, whose family runs a fruit and vegetable stall at Prahran Market, was on hand today to serve twins 'Billy and Betty Kidney' lead a shopping rally to promote the link between a healthy diet and avoiding high blood pressure, a major cause of Kidney Disease. Anita is celebrating her tenth year of having a successful kidney transplant. As part of an official launch of World Kidney Day, Kidney Health Australia Ambassador Tim Mathieson agreed to have his blood pressure taken - something all Australians are encouraged to see their GP about. They asked 'Does your blood pressure MeasureUp'?

Billy and Betty Kidney with Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia with a basket of fruit and vegetables, and Anita Narduzzo, kidney transplant recipient at the family's fruit and vegetable stall at Prahran Market.

World Kidney Day shopping rally at Prahran Market.

Tim Mathieson, Kidney Health Australia Ambassador had his blood pressure taken by Lydia Lauder of Kidney Health Australia to officially launch the day. Megan Young, transplant recipient and Joshua Donchi of Kidney Health Australia observed the result.

World Kidney Day Global Media Kit - The 2009 campaign highlighted the importance of high blood pressure as one of the key symptoms and causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Chronic, non-communicable diseases and CKD - Chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease have now replaced the communicable diseases as the leading threat to public health and health budgets worldwide. Deaths claimed by infectious diseases will decline by 3% over the next decade. In marked contrast, chronic diseases – that already account for 72% of the total global burden of disease in people over 30 – will increase by 17%. Much of this in developing countries.

The cost of treating these chronic diseases, already 80% of many health care budgets, represents a leading threat to public health and healthcare resources worldwide. The only feasible global response to this pending health and socio-economic crisis is chronic disease prevention. Promoting early detection and prevention of CKD will be an important step towards achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended goal of reducing death rates related to chronic disease in the world by 2% per year over the next decade.

Key Facts on Chronic Kidney Disease

World Kidney Day Background Briefing (PDF)
World Kidney Day Editorial (PDF)
World Kidney Day Press Release (PDF)

Overview of CKD globally - Kidney disease is very common, it affects an increasing number of people and cultures from continent to continent. It is estimated that approximately 400-600 million adults worldwide have chronic kidney disease. It is a harmful. The first consequence of undetected CKD is the risk of developing progressive loss of kidney function leading to kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant to maintain life. The second is premature death from associated cardiovascular disease. Most importantly, most forms of kidney disease are treatable, its progression can often be curtailed particularly if caught early. Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse, and can prevent the need for dialysis or a transplant.

World Kidney Day collaborates
with World Hypertension DayWhat is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
How common is chronic kidney disease?
What causes chronic kidney disease?
How is chronic kidney disease detected?
What are the consequences of undetected chronic kidney disease?
What are the costs and consequences to society of the growing epidemic of CKD?
What can be done to detect, prevent and treat chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease?

There are many interesting Fact Sheets on Kidney health issues on our website. If you are a teacher, go to our Schools Resources webpage. We ask you to use our Resource Order Form to order any of our publications.

Updated 2 July 2009