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Kidney Month Web Page Educates Those at Risk
In observance of National Kidney Month, the NKDEP developed a new web page that highlights kidney disease risk factors and provides basic information about testing and treatment. We are encouraging our partners and others interested in kidney disease prevention to promote this information on their websites and in March communications to constituents, family and friends. Visit the page at www.nkdep.nih.gov/kidneymonth.
If you are interested in linking to the Kidney Month page, the following language can be used as an introduction:
March is National Kidney Month
Are you (or someone you love) at risk? Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure. [INSERT your organization's name here] wants you to know that kidney failure can be prevented. Get the facts. Learn how to protect your kidneys. Please visit www.nkdep.nih.gov/kidneymonth.
NKDEP also has developed a 500-word article that outlines important tips for protecting kidney function. The article can be used during Kidney Month and beyond. If you would like to receive a Microsoft Word copy of this article, please email us at nkdep@info.niddk.nih.gov and request the Kidney Month article.
NKDEP Partners and Friends Help Spread the Word
NKDEP partners and friends are helping NKDEP promote kidney disease prevention messages throughout the month. To date, the following partners have placed information about Kidney Month on their website or in their recent communications:
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- American Kidney Fund
- American Society of Nephrology
- Black Women's Health Imperative
- iKidney.com
- National Caucus and Center on Black Aged
NKDEP also created online PSA banners to promote Kidney Month and to drive those at risk to the new web page for additional information. The banners already have appeared on USAToday.com, Nephrology Channel, Senior Health Channel, Diabetes Portal, Diabetes Daily News, and several local television news station sites around the country. The banners will also appear on BET.com and Prevention.com later this week.
NKDEP's kidney disease prevention information also will be provided in the April issue of the (Ohio) Tribune-Chronicle's All About Health magazine, which will focus on diabetes and related issues.
NKDEP Materials
- Nephrology Consult Letter Template Now Available for Download
Beginning March 19, the Nephrology Consult Letter Template will be available for use both online and in a downloadable prototype PDF format. Developed by NKDEP in partnership with the Renal Physicians Association (RPA), this template was designed to help nephrologists coordinate care and improve patient outcomes. The template calculates estimated GFR, generates a list of comprehensive, CKD stage-specific next steps, and suggests provider roles. We welcome your feedback on the downloadable prototype template. The template can be accessed from the NKDEP and RPA websites.
- NKDEP Homepage Has a New Look
The NKDEP homepage has been updated. The new page now highlights key risk factor information for patients and the public, as well as tools and resources for health professionals. The new page should make it easier for the public and health professionals to quickly access useful NKDEP tools and materials.
- NKDEP Video Wins NIH Plain Language Award
We are proud to report that the NKDEP patient education video "You Have The Power To Prevent Kidney Disease" won a NIH Plain Language Award to recognize clear, concise, and audience-appropriate documents. The video was deemed "excellent". Additionally, NKDEP received honorable mention for the Help Your Family Prevent Kidney Failure dialysis/transplant brochure. To view these materials or to order copies, visit the NKDEP website.
Partner Spotlight
In addition to working to create the Consult Letter Template, the Renal Physicians Association (RPA) and NKDEP are collaborating to promote this resource. For their annual meeting, RPA worked with NKDEP to develop a promotional piece for the Consult Letter Template, arrange for this piece to be placed in participant bags, and secure placement for an ad in the meeting program book. NKDEP will be exhibiting at the annual RPA meeting in Washington, DC from March 19 to 21.
Meetings Update
The Laboratory Working Group met on March 11 in Washington, DC. In addition to the regular meeting, the group also hosted a Manufacturers' Forum with makers of in-vitro diagnostics devices to discuss standardization of GFR measurement and its potential impact on laboratories.
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