Kidney Health
The kidneys clean blood and filter waste out through urine [1]. They also process excess fluid and unwanted chemicals, regulate blood pressure and manage the body’s production of vitamin D [2].
If the kidneys stop working properly, waste can build up in the body and negatively impact a person’s health. This may lead to kidney disease [1], which can be acute (short term) or chronic (life-long). Chronic kidney disease is the most common form of kidney disease and can lead to kidney failure [1].
Diabetes is the main cause of kidney disease, accounting for over a third of new cases. There is also strong link between kidney disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Other causes include immune diseases, congenital conditions and genetic disorders [1].
Kidney disease is a serious health issue for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The hospitalisation and mortality rates for kidney disease are high among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [3][4], however recent statistics show that mortality rates for the disease are declining [3].