National Kidney Month message: Stay healthy, stay covered

DETROIT, MICH. – (March 1, 2024) – March is National Kidney Month. The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) encourages everyone to find out their risk for kidney disease and make sure their health insurance coverage is up to date.

Are you one of the 33% (one in three) adults in Michigan who are at risk for kidney disease? Right now, you or someone you love could be at risk for kidney disease and not even know it! Take the quiz and find out. Depending on your answers, you'll get emails on what to do if you are at risk, such as being tested for kidney disease and keeping your kidneys healthy. The email information also helps you understand your increased risk for COVID complications.

Of Michigan adults, 33% are at risk for kidney disease but most don't know it. Most have diabetes and/or high blood pressure, which puts them at higher risk for kidney disease. Those at risk could join the one million Michiganders already living with kidney disease.

It's time to think about your own kidney health. Ask for a kidney health screening the next time you visit your doctor. Early detection and management of kidney disease can help prevent or reduce complications.

Your health matters -- don't risk a gap in health coverage. Federal changes could affect your health care coverage, especially if you're a Medicaid member. Take proactive steps to understand your benefits. Visit http://www.nkfm.org/medicaid to learn more and access resources to help you navigate your Medicaid coverage.

Kidney Month Events

On March 7 from 6 to 8 pm, the NKFM and Michigan Medicine present "The Big Ask, The Big Give: Finding a Living Donor" Workshop over Zoom.

Also in March, the following free kidney health screenings will be held in the Detroit area:

o Date: 3/14/24

 Event: World Kidney

Day Kidney Screen

ing

 Location: Henry Ford

Hospital

 Address: 2799 W

Grand Blvd. Detroit,

MI 48202

 Time: 10am-2pm

o Date: 3/14/24

 Event: World Kidney

Day

 Location: Centro Mult

icultural La Familia

 Address: 35 W Huron

St., Pontiac, MI

48342

 Time: 2pm-6pm

o Date: 3/16/24

 Event: Black Family

Wellness Expo

 Location: Second

Ebenezer Church

 Address: 14601 De

quindre St, Detroit, MI

48212

 Time: 10am-1pm

o Date: 3/17/24

 Event: Kidney Sunday

 Location: New Hope

Missionary Baptist

Church

 Address: 23455 W 9

Mile Rd, Southfield,

MI 48033

 Time: 1-3pm

More Kidney Month events:

14th Annual Kountz – Callender – Drew Transplant Symposium

Date: 3/13/24

In-person and virtual event

Location: Ascension St. John Hospital – Detroit

Time: 8am-4:30pm

Discussion on Chronic Kidney Disease: A General Overview and Risk Factors

Date: 3/14/24

Location: Zoom Webinar

Time: 12-1pm

Discussion on Screening for CKD & NKFM Programs and Services

Date: 4/4/24

Location: Zoom Webinar

Time: 12-1pm

For more information about kidney disease, programs, services, or Kidney Month events, visit nkfm.org/kidneymonth or call 800-482-1455.