Ending Disparities in Kidney Disease in Virginia & Metro DC - VIRTUAL

A Leadership Summit Hosted by the National Kidney Foundation!

It is estimated that 1,075,000 adults in Virginia and DC are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but only 175,000 are aware that their kidneys are impaired. The majority of people at risk for CKD do not receive the recommended testing.  African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and other communities of color are disproportionately affected by CKD and significant disparities in care exist in these communities.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is introducing a Collective Impact strategy to develop and advance equitable strategies to improve CKD testing and diagnosis in primary care. Over the summer/early fall 2022, NKF convened stakeholders to participate work groups that focused on:

• Clinical Considerations for CKD in Primary Care
• Engaging Community and Community-Based Solutions
• Policy, Payment, and HEDIS Measurement
• CKD in a Population Health Model

During these meetings, participants:

• Analyzed the prevalence of undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Virginia and DC, and its impact on patient outcomes, healthcare costs and health inequities
• Discussed strategies and approaches that can be employed to improve CKD recognition and care in primary care settings
• Evaluated the impact the new Kidney Health Evaluation HEDIS measure can have on improving breakdowns in care and develop a strategy to streamline CKD testing in primary care from a policy and payment perspective
• Developed a strategy to incorporate CKD testing and diagnosis into community wellness and prevention practices
• Developed strategies to advance CKD awareness through community engagement and to ensure that health care providers are aware of the community resources available to delay CKD progression

From these Learning and Action meetings, NKF and partners are developing a road map to drive a cultural shift in primary care — toward increasing the early diagnosis and management of CKD, especially in communities where the burden of CKD is felt most acutely. This strategy will be shared at a stakeholders’ summit, to be held November 10, 2022.

For more information, please contact Michele Anthony, NKF Serving the National Capital Area at michele.anthony@kidney.org or Nancy Castrina, NKF Serving Virginia at nancy.castrina@kidney.org