Kidney Health

The kidneys clean blood and filter waste out through urine [28715]. They also process excess fluid and unwanted chemicals, regulate blood pressure and manage the body’s production of vitamin D [41199].

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 [28715], 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 [28715].

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 [28715].

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 [44858][41038], however recent statistics show that mortality rates for the disease are declining [44858].