Create a Kidney Protective Environment

The most cost-effective way to manage kidney disease is to prevent its development in the first place. The following are policy and benefit recommendations to promote overall health and well-being and manage risk factors for CKD.

Policy & Benefit Recommendations

  • Comprehensive paid time off that includes time for annual physical/wellness visit or flexible work scheduling to accommodate preventative medical visits.
  • Health plan coverage or reimbursement of evidence-based programs including Diabetes Prevention Program, Diabetes Self-Management Education, Self-Measured Blood Pressure Programs, or other chronic disease management programs.

Explore offering these programs at the worksite and allowing employees to attend during their workday.

  • Coverage of Medical Nutrition Therapy or nutrition counseling with a Registered Dietitian for individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
  • Coverage of effective diabetes/obesity medications and therapies (GLP1As, CGMs, etc).
  • Coverage or reimbursement for tobacco cessation programs and/or medications.
  • Coverage of policies that support maternal and child health — Paid Parental Leave, policies to encourage initiation and sustainment of breastfeeding (break times, private spaces to breastfeed, coverage for classes and breast pumps), flexible work schedules for new parents, access to preventative care and childcare benefits can all reduce health risks and improve health outcomes for parents and their dependents.9
  • Oral Health and Dental Benefits — Oral health is closely linked to overall health and poor oral health can contribute to poor chronic disease outcomes including CKD. Employers should offer an effective dental plan that encourages preventative care and treatment of cavities or other issues.10
  • Coverage, reimbursement, or incentives for gym membership, fitness classes, or home exercise equipment.
  • Subsidize or incentivize public transportation use or active commuting (walk, run, bike, etc).
  • Ensure a tobacco-free workplace.

     

Create a Workplace Environment that Promotes Health and Wellness

Create a Healthy Food Environment

  • Create policies to make healthier food and beverage choices available in cafeterias, snack bars, and/or vending machines — Consider adhering to the goals of the “Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities” developed by the CDC.
    • While change can take time, NKF encourages workplaces to start with a goal of 25% of food available meeting healthy criteria and work upwards.
    • Consider establishing similar guidelines for food served at meetings and events hosted by the organization.
  • To be even more kidney friendly workplaces can:
    • Ensure that calories and ingredients and nutrients of concern for CKD (protein, phosphorus and potassium) are readily available for listed.
    • Have water filling stations throughout workplace and promote water and unsweetened beverages as the beverage of choice.

Encourage Physical Activity

  • Offer onsite recreation facilities, physical spaces designated for recreation, or identify nearby recreation facilities (including walking trails or maps of suitable walking routes).
  • Provide showers, locker rooms, or changing facilities for employees who choose to exercise before or during the workday.
  • Provide bicycle racks or storage.
  • Encourage walking meetings and/or physical activity breaks during the workday.
  • Post signs encouraging employees to take the stairs. 
     

References