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Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet
Raymond Vanholder1,2, Dina Abdellatif3, Augusto Cesar Soares Dos Santos4,5
1Nephrology Section, Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Journal of Renal Care
|May 29, 2026
Summary
The current kidney care model is unsustainable. A new approach focusing on early detection, prevention, and eco-friendly treatments like home dialysis is essential for kidney health and planetary protection.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Public Health
- Environmental Science
Background:
- The existing kidney care model, centered on late-stage disease and in-center hemodialysis, faces significant challenges including high costs, environmental impact, and suboptimal patient outcomes.
- The World Health Assembly's acknowledgment of kidney disease as a major health threat and the World Kidney Day 2026 theme highlight the urgent need for systemic change in kidney care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a paradigm shift in kidney care towards a sustainable model.
- To emphasize the importance of early detection, prevention, and patient-centered approaches.
- To promote eco-friendly dialysis methods and consider conservative care options.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current kidney care challenges and future directions.
- Analysis of the environmental and societal impact of kidney disease management.
- Exploration of alternative care models, including transplantation, home dialysis, and conservative care.
Main Results:
- The current model is unsustainable due to financial, environmental, and quality-of-life concerns.
- Early detection, prevention, transplantation, and home dialysis offer significant benefits for patients, the environment, and society.
- A sustainable model requires a multi-stakeholder approach, public awareness, and a transition to patient-centered care.
Conclusions:
- A fundamental transformation of kidney care is necessary, prioritizing prevention and sustainable practices.
- Integrating environmental health considerations into kidney care is crucial, as planetary health affects kidney health.
- Coordinated efforts involving patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers are vital to achieve universal kidney health.
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