Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects one in twenty people in Kirklees, and nationally is responsible for between 40,000 and 45,000 deaths every year. The effects of CKD are not spread evenly throughout our society, with factors like age, ethnicity, family history, and gender altering the risk of developing the disease.
Fortunately there is a lot that we can do to prevent CKD from developing in the first place, by helping people to live healthy lifestyles and manage their long term health conditions. There are simple tests that we can do to detect CKD early, especially in people at risk of the disease. When CKD is diagnosed there are things we can do to make sure treatment is accessible, effective, and holistic.
The new KJSA chapter on CKD looks at what we are already doing in Kirklees to address the challenges presented by CKD, and considers what else we can do going forward to help prevent, diagnose, and manage it. As with many of the KJSA chapters, there is opportunity for synergistic action. Improving CKD outcomes can help address areas such as cardiovascular disease, and inequalities, whilst addressing areas such as tobacco, alcohol, and drug misuse and diabetes can help prevent the development and progression of CKD.
Richard James
Public Health Registrar – Kirklees Council
Kirklees Joint Strategic Assessment Blog 