minnesota department of health

Health leaders join together to address chronic kidney disease at Minnesota summit

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is joining the National Kidney Foundation at a summit focused on reducing chronic kidney disease disparities in Minnesota.  

The Minnesota Ending Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease Leadership Summit is a virtual meeting on Wednesday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. As part of the summit, the National Kidney Foundation will release a roadmap for addressing kidney disease that includes recommendations to improve the early testing, diagnosis, and management of chronic kidney disease in primary care settings across the state.  

“This roadmap is vital to improving the health of Minnesotans,” said Ann Zukoski, director of the Center for Health Promotion at MDH and co-chair of the summit. “We know chronic kidney disease affects some Minnesota communities more than others due to structural and social inequities. This summit is a great opportunity to bring together partners to discuss improving care as well as creating community-led solutions that will help to reduce long-standing health disparities."  

Chronic kidney disease is a gradual loss of kidney function. In the early stages, there may be very few or no symptoms, which is why so few people are diagnosed before the condition becomes more advanced. An estimated 1 in 7 (642,000) Minnesota adults have chronic kidney disease and nearly all (90%) do not know they have it.  

Associated with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions, chronic kidney disease also puts people at higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and death. While anyone with diabetes or hypertension is at risk for developing kidney disease, Black, Latino, and American Indian communities are disproportionately impacted.  

“The suffering from those with chronic kidney disease is often emphasized by the profound disparities existing in those at risk or impacted,” said Penny Wheeler, University of Minnesota regent and past CEO of Allina Health and summit co-chair. “I am proud to be part of this effort to close the gap for many who have previously been left behind.”  

Recommendations for change outlined in the roadmap were made by health care providers, public health leaders, quality improvement and community members from across Minnesota. During the summit, participants will discuss how they can work together to implement these recommendations.  

Online registration for the Minnesota Ending Disparities in Chronic Kidney Disease Leadership Summit is still open. This effort is one piece of MDH’s implementation of Minnesota’s Action Plan to Address Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke and Diabetes 2035 (MN 2035 Plan) that was released in September 2023. 

-MDH-

Media inquiries:
Scott Smith 
MDH Communications
651-503-1440
[email protected]

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