NKF-MD Brings Free Kidney Health Assessment to First Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ's Health Fair, Oct. 29

LUTHERVILLE, Md. - The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland (NKF-MD) will bring its Kidney Health Risk Assessment (KHRA) to the Transforming our Community into a Healthy Way of Living: Community Harvest Fest/Health Fair taking place Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the First Apostolic Faith Church of Jesus Christ in Baltimore (27 S. Caroline St., 21231).

As part of NKF-MD’s mission of early detection and early intervention, this free assessment helps identify adults at risk for chronic kidney disease and increases awareness of kidney disease risk factors in the community.

The KHRA uses a simple Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation, blood pressure measurement and a short six-question questionnaire to make participants aware of their risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Participants will receive brief consultations with physicians and dietitians to learn about kidney disease, as well as general nutrition and wellness guidelines.

Individuals not at risk will be given educational materials about maintaining good health, while those at risk will be directed to further screenings and advised to talk to medical professionals. Everyone is encouraged to follow up with their physician and to maintain regular primary care visits.

Overall, kidney disease affects 26 million people – that’s one in nine Marylanders and one in eight in Baltimore. One in three American adults – 73 million people – are at risk for kidney disease, and the risk increases to one in two over the course of a lifetime.

Most people affected do not realize they have it until the condition has progressed. In fact, 25 percent of the 1,229 people screened in fiscal year 2015 by NKF-MD demonstrated significant results.

“For every 10 people who have kidney disease 9 of them do not know that they have it,” said Traci Barnett, NKF-MD’s president and CEO. “We encourage people to get tested because early detection and treatment can slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease.

For more information about this event or to receive a schedule of additional screenings by NKF-MD, visit www.kidneymd.org or call 443-322-0375.

ABOUT NKF-MD

Serving central and western Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula and portions of Virginia and West Virginia, the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneymd.org.