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Published on: December 2, 2014
Burden, access and disparities in kidney disease
Deidra C Crews1,2,3, Aminu K Bello4, Gamal Saadi5
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Kidney disease affects over 750 million people globally, with significant disparities in care due to socio-economic and political factors. Strengthening infrastructure for early detection and management is crucial for kidney health equity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nephrology
- Global Health Equity
Background:
- Kidney disease is a major global health issue impacting over 750 million individuals worldwide.
- Significant disparities exist in kidney disease burden and care, influenced by socio-economic, cultural, and political determinants.
- World Kidney Day 2019 emphasized raising awareness of these disparities and the global capacity for kidney disease prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the global disparities in kidney disease burden and care.
- To advocate for improved infrastructure for early detection and management of kidney diseases.
- To promote pragmatic approaches for renal replacement therapies and kidney health equity.
Main Methods:
- Review of global kidney disease burden and care disparities.
- Analysis of current global capacity for kidney disease prevention and management.
- Advocacy for infrastructure development and pragmatic renal replacement therapy strategies.
Main Results:
- Kidney disease burden and care vary substantially worldwide, marked by significant disparities.
- There is a critical need to strengthen basic infrastructure for kidney care services globally.
- Pragmatic approaches to renal replacement therapies are needed to address varying capacities.
Conclusions:
- Strengthening infrastructure is essential for early detection and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
- Achieving kidney health equity requires locally feasible strategies focused on reducing disease burden.
- Universal health coverage goals should incorporate essential elements of kidney care to ensure equitable access.
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Kidney Structure
External Anatomy of the Kidney
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...

