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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.
Nephrology (Carlton, Vic.)
|June 9, 2026
Summary
The current kidney care model is unsustainable. A new approach prioritizing early detection, prevention, and eco-friendly treatments like home dialysis is crucial for kidney health and planetary well-being.
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 underscores the urgent need for systemic change in kidney care delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a paradigm shift in kidney care towards a sustainable model that emphasizes early detection, prevention, and environmentally conscious treatment options.
- To align kidney care strategies with the World Kidney Day 2026 theme, promoting "Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet".
Main Methods:
- Reviewing the limitations of the current kidney care paradigm.
- Highlighting the benefits of alternative approaches such as transplantation, home dialysis, and conservative care.
- Emphasizing the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, public education, and policy changes.
Main Results:
- A sustainable kidney care model requires a focus on early detection and prevention to minimize the need for kidney replacement therapies.
- Home dialysis and transplantation offer significant advantages for patients, the environment, and society.
- Eco-friendly dialysis methods and consideration of conservative care for specific patient groups are vital components of a sustainable future.
Conclusions:
- A coordinated, patient-centered approach involving public awareness, policy reform, and healthcare professional education is essential for transforming kidney care.
- Integrating environmental sustainability into kidney care practices is critical, as planetary health directly impacts kidney health.
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