National Kidney Disease Education Program Launched with Pilot Programs

When: March 2003 through March 2004
Institute: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease

NIDDK is initiating an education program for the prevention of kidney disease by launching pilot programs aimed at African Americans and their health care providers in four U.S. cities over the next year. Local coalitions of interested members of the public have formed in Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Atlanta Georgia; and Jackson, Mississippi to bring the message, "You Have the Power to Prevent Kidney Disease" to African Americans who are at risk for kidney failure because they have diabetes, high blood pressure or family member(s) with kidney failure.

The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) is providing technical assistance to test a multi faceted approach: 1) dissemination of information to health care providers; 2) implementation of local coalition community activities; and 3) conduct of local media print and radio campaigns. The effect of the interventions in the four cities is being evaluated through OMB-approved surveys of knowledge, attitudes and practices before and after the Coalition activities.

Next steps:
More information about the NKDEP is available on the NKDEP web site and by calling 1 (800) 891-5390. Dr. Thomas Hostetter, NIDDK, is the Director of NKDEP. Ms. Elisa Gladstone, M.P.H., is the Assistant Director of NKDEP. People who are interested in joining the program can call NIDDK OCPL Director Elizabeth H. Singer at (301) 496-3583.

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