Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious health crisis affecting millions of Americans, without them knowing it. Tragically, CKD often goes undiagnosed until it reaches advanced stages. This leaves patients with costly and life-altering complications, including kidney failure and the need for dialysis or transplantation. To combat this growing issue, many states have established Chronic Kidney Disease Task Forces, dedicated to raising awareness, improving prevention efforts, and advocating for better patient outcomes.
The Chronic Disease Coalition has long advocated for CKD task forces because the consequences of kidney disease are so significant to both individuals and the healthcare system at large. The nature of kidney disease is so serious, and it happens so quickly, that we need to think differently about it.
Kelli Strother is a State Government Affairs Director for Otsuka, a CDC board member and living kidney donor who was part of a kidney paired exchange to get her father a compatible kidney. She is also a member of the Colorado CKD task force, where she brings her policy knowledge and lived experience to work. The task force was essential to helping the state legislature and agencies better understand how common CKD is, and how very quiet it is — until the moment it is severe and serious — and how that impacts Coloradans. The task force mission was to increase awareness, gather data and ultimately, find ways to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease on both families and state healthcare budgets.
Why CKD Needs Special Attention
Unlike other chronic diseases, CKD often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. By the time it is diagnosed, significant kidney damage may have already occurred. This makes early intervention essential to preventing progression to kidney failure. Furthermore, CKD is closely linked to other chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, making its management a critical component of overall public health.
The Function of CKD Task Forces
State-level CKD task forces bring together medical professionals, policymakers, patient advocates, and public health officials to develop strategies for addressing kidney disease. These groups work on multiple fronts, including:
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Many people with CKD are unaware of their condition. Task forces help educate communities about risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and family history, encouraging early screening and lifestyle modifications.
- Legislative Advocacy: Task forces push for policies that improve access to early detection and treatment, promote research funding, and enhance patient care. For example, some states have introduced mandatory CKD screening programs for at-risk populations due to task force recommendations.
- Healthcare Collaboration: By fostering partnerships between healthcare providers, insurers, and community organizations, task forces help streamline patient care and improve coordination between primary care doctors and nephrologists.
- Community-Based Access Initiatives: CKD disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income people of all backgrounds, so it’s important to ensure all communities get the access to care and treatment options they need.
The Benefits of Formal Representation
Having a dedicated CKD task force ensures that the kidney disease community has a voice in public health discussions. Without such representation, CKD could remain an overlooked issue despite its far-reaching impact. By formalizing efforts to address CKD at the state level, task forces help secure funding, influence policy, and ultimately improve outcomes for millions of individuals at risk.
State-level CKD task forces are vital allies in the fight against kidney disease. Their efforts not only help prevent the condition from progressing, but improve the quality of life for those already affected. Expanding and strengthening these task forces can make a significant difference in public health efforts nationwide.
"If you have the opportunity to support the creation of a chronic kidney disease task force in your state, or to serve on one, please do," Kelli says. "And if you’ve been impacted by CKD and have the opportunity to serve on a task force, I encourage you to do that, too. It’s a really wonderful experience of working together, remembering your loved ones, and making a difference for other families.”