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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
21-176
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
March 1, 2016
To recognize the month of March as “National Kidney Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia in order to raise awareness for chronic kidney disease , kidney cancer, and the proactive ways to reduce the risk of kidney failure.
WHEREAS, there are an estimated 26 million American adults living with chronic kidney disease (“CKD”);
WHEREAS, many individuals are unaware of their status as there are often no symptoms until the disease has progressed;
WHEREAS, kidney cancer affects 65,000 adults each year;
WHEREAS, it is critical that attention be brought to this often-overlooked, but increasingly common disease;
WHEREAS, persons at increased risk for developing CKD include those who are over 60 years of age, those with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease;
WHEREAS, African Americans account for 35% percent of dialysis patients in the U.S., but only 13% of the overall U.S. population;
WHEREAS, early detection -- which is comprised of 3 simple tests: blood pressure, urine albumin, and serum creatinine -- can help prevent the progression of CKD;
WHEREAS, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area has one of the highest rates of kidney disease nationwide, with nearly 7,000 patients on dialysis, and more than 1,700 people waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant;
WHEREAS, End Stage Renal Disease , the 9th leading cause of death in the U.S., has a prevalence rate of over 2,000 District residents per year, and an incidence rate of 360 District residents per year, of which 190 are males and 160 are females – of those, roughly 300 are Black or African American;
WHEREAS, in 2014, there were 220 deaths due to dialysis in the District;
WHEREAS, the National Minority Organ and Tissue Transplant Education Program is the first program of its kind in the country designed to educate minority communities on facts about organ and tissue transplantation and empower these communities to become involved in addressing the shortage of donors; and
WHEREAS, the National Kidney Foundation will offer free kidney screenings, interactive Q&A sessions, as well as host events aimed at promoting awareness, early detection, and prevention throughout the month of March.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “National Kidney Awareness Month Recognition Resolution of 2016”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia hereby declares March 2016 as “National Kidney Awareness Month” in the District of Columbia and encourages all citizens to recognize the importance of kidney health, and the prevention, early detection, and treatment of kidney disease.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
