CARPHA is calling for early testing and healthier lifestyles to address chronic kidney disease
It says in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023, 15.4% of adults were living with chronic kidney disease, placing the region among those with the highest CKD burden worldwide.
Lifestyle factors are a significant contributor and CARPHA says many kidney-related deaths could be prevented through early testing and improved management of key risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
In the Caribbean in particular, lifestyle has been pinpointed, with Caribbean diets often containing high levels of salt, which contributes to increased rates of hypertension and diabetes, the two leading causes of kidney disease.
Dr Lisa Indar, Executive Director, CARPHA says “Improving the prevention and control of diabetes and hypertension, encouraging healthier diets, and increasing physical activity are critical steps toward protecting kidney health across the Caribbean.”
The Agency also noted that chronic kidney disease disproportionately affects disadvantaged populations contributing to widening health inequities, while environmental factors contribute to the increasing the burden of kidney disease, since climate-related stressors such as air pollution, heat stress, dehydration, and extreme weather events can trigger acute kidney injury and accelerate kidney disease progression.
The message comes as CARPHA marks World Kidney Day today.
