World Kidney Day 2024 –
Kidney Health for All
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect more than 850 million people worldwide and resulted in over 3.1 million deaths in 2019.[1] Presently, kidney disease ranks as the 8th leading cause of death[2], and if left unaddressed, it is projected to be the 5th leading cause of years of life lost by 2040.[3]
Over the last three decades, CKD treatment efforts have centered on preparing for and delivering kidney replacement therapies. However, recent therapeutic breakthroughs [4] offer unprecedented opportunities to prevent or delay disease and mitigate complications such as cardiovascular disease and kidney failure, ultimately prolonging the quality and quantity of life for people living with CKD.
While these new therapies should be universally accessible to all patients, in every country and environment, barriers such as lack of CKD awareness, insufficient knowledge or confidence with newer therapeutic strategies, shortages of kidney specialists, and treatment costs contribute to profound disparities in accessing treatments, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries, but also in some high-income settings. These inequities emphasize the need to shift focus towards CKD awareness and capacity building of the healthcare workforce.
Achieving optimal kidney care requires overcoming barriers at multiple levels while considering contextual differences across world regions. These include gaps in early diagnosis, lack of universal healthcare or insurance coverage, low awareness among healthcare workers, and challenges to medication cost and accessibility. A multi-pronged strategy is required to save kidneys, hearts, and lives:
[1] https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/
[2] https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-latest-global-disease-estimates-reveal-perfect-storm
[3] https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(18)31694-5.pdf
[4] Renin-angiotensin inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, have shown benefits in delaying kidney function decline together with reducing risks of cardiovascular events and death.
On March 14, 2024, we invite everyone to celebrate World Kidney Day and advance kidney health education. Therefore, the #ShowYourKidneys is a token to remind World Kidney Day supporters of the primary function of their kidneys and their location in their bodies.
Your kidneys are amazing organs that perform many essential tasks to keep you healthy! #ShowYourKidneys
My #Kidneys are essential to my health; they remove toxins and excess water from your blood! #ShowYourKidneys
My kidneys keep me healthy by helping me control my blood pressure! #ShowYourKidneys
Kidneys are powerful organs that play an important role in the production of red blood cells! #ShowYourKidneys
My bones stay healthy because of my kidneys! #ShowYourKidneys
Support #worldkidneyday with me, take a picture and #ShowYourKidneys!
Want to learn more about your kidney – participate in #WorldKidneyDay challenge and #ShowYourKidneys!
*Disclaimer: World Kidney Day is global awareness campaign that aims to increase awareness of kidneys and kidney disease. We do not give professional medical advice, or provide diagnosis or treatment. Please talk to a doctor or other professional healthcare provider to obtain the information you seek.
A selection of some of the best pictures of World Kidney Day throughout the years. See your events, our team and all the ways you got involved during one of our many World Kidney Days.
The 2024 shop is now open with items branded with the 2024 WKD visual and with the brand-new WKD logo. Discover a large selection of WKD 2024 branded items, including T-shirts, tote bags, pens, and much more! Grab your own items, whether for yourself or to share with friends, and join us on 14 March!
World Kidney Day
ISN – Global Operations Center
Avenue des Arts 1-2, 6th floor,
1210, Brussels, Belgium
Tel +32 2 808 04 20
info@worldkidneyday.org