World Kidney Day
World Kidney Day would be observed on March 14, 2024 .
World Kidney Day is observed on the second Thursday in March every year. It is an international campaign that raises awareness about the importance of healthy kidneys for our health. This day also highlights the causes and impacts of kidney diseases to help prevent it.
The day is marked by public screenings, taking place all around the world, and awareness campaigns that focus on risk factors and preventive behavior.
History of World Kidney Day
The first World Kidney Day was celebrated in 2006 when it was established by the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations.
It has been observed annually ever since, and it keeps growing in popularity around the globe.
There is a different theme for World Kidney Day every year, highlighting different issues related to kidney health. The theme for 2024 is Kidney Health for All – Advancing equitable access to care and optimal medication practice.
Here are some of the past themes:
- 2020: Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere – from Prevention to Detection and Equitable Access to Care.
- 2021: Living Well with Kidney Disease.
- 2022: Kidney Health for All.
- 2023: Kidney Health for All – Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable
Why is World Kidney Day Celebrated?
Many people don't realize the important role that their kidneys play in their overall health. Kidneys act as filters in our bodies, getting rid of waste products and excess fluids in the blood, and also regulating blood pressure and producing life-sustaining hormones.
Not just that, by filtering bad things out of our bodies, kidneys help with our bone health and strength and also aid the production of red blood cells.
Kidney failure can severely impact someone's health, and, in some extreme cases, be fatal. This is why it is so essential to keep kidneys healthy, by practicing healthy habits, such as healthy eating, keeping active, maintaining a healthy weight, and regularly checking blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
World Kidney Day raises awareness about the importance of kidney health and educates people on kidney diseases, which are very common, can be very harmful but are often treatable if discovered at an early stage. When kidney issues go untreated, they can result in Chronic Kidney Disease, a progressive loss in kidney function that does not go away and can result in kidney failure.
Kidney Functions
- Filtration of blood
- Regulation of blood pressure
- Erythropoiesis regulation (production of erythropoietin)
- Electrolyte balance maintenance
- Acid-base balance regulation
- Excretion of waste products (urea, creatinine, etc.)
- Regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance
- Metabolism of vitamin D to its active form
- Glucose regulation by reabsorption in the renal tubules
How to Observe World Kidney Day
This day is all about raising awareness, so different health organizations host events to reach out to the public about kidney health. These can be public screenings, free exercise classes, lectures, and seminars.
If you or anyone you know has been impacted by kidney disease, consider donating to a kidney health association, to aid with research into kidney disease, its treatment, and prevention. Similarly, you can register as an organ donor, meaning that you can provide life-saving help to someone in need of a kidney transplant.
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