Chronic kidney disease among Aboriginal people living in Canada

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant health burden on Aboriginal communities around the world. High rates of diabetes among Aboriginal Canadians are an important contributing factor to the rising rates of CKD in this population, and diabetes has been the leading cause of kidney failure among Aboriginal patients initiating dialysis in Canada for the last decade. This paper will describe access to, quality of, and outcomes associated with the renal care of Aboriginal people living in Canada.

Research shows that rates of CKD are higher among Aboriginal people residing in Canada, and that despite remote residence location, use of peritoneal dialysis is substantially lower than in white patients. Similarly, although mortality rates among Canadian hemodialysis patients are similar for Aboriginals and for whites, Aboriginal patients have substantially reduced access to kidney transplantation.

A concerted effort to lower rates of CKD in this population is needed. Changes in healthcare policy that successfully translate into healthcare provider and patient level improvements in access to and the quality of care will be needed to significantly reduce the risk of CKD and progression to kidney failure.