Chronic kidney disease disproportionately affects Black Americans, and Negelle Morris says greater awareness and earlier detection could help more people take control of their kidney health.
During the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 55th Annual Legislative Conference, Morris, senior vice president and general manager at Vantive, discussed kidney health disparities, patient education and expanding access to treatment options that allow people to maintain more of their everyday routines.
An estimated 22% of Black adults have chronic kidney disease, compared with 13% of white adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black Americans also experience kidney failure at roughly four times the rate of white Americans.
The challenge, Morris explained, is that kidney disease can progress without obvious symptoms. The CDC estimates that nearly 9 in 10 adults with CKD don't know they have it, making testing especially important for people with risk factors including diabetes and high blood pressure.
Morris also discussed giving patients more flexibility once they need dialysis, including greater access to peritoneal dialysis that can be performed at home.
Traditional in-center hemodialysis commonly requires patients to spend several hours at a dialysis center three times each week. Home peritoneal dialysis can offer some patients an alternative that allows treatment to be incorporated into their daily lives, including overnight treatment.
Vantive has been expanding its home dialysis services with digital tools and patient support designed to help people manage treatment outside of a dialysis center. The company has also partnered with the National Kidney Foundation on home dialysis education and with The Links, Incorporated's Black K.A.R.E. initiative to raise awareness of kidney disease risk factors in Black communities.
For Morris, increasing awareness before kidney disease reaches its most advanced stages is just as important as giving patients options once treatment becomes necessary.
Listen to the full conversation below!
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