March is recognized across the United States as National Kidney Month, a public health campaign aimed at raising awareness about kidney disease and encouraging early screening. Health experts say the observance is particularly important for communities of color, where kidney disease rates remain disproportionately high and often go undetected until it is advanced.
Kidney disease affects millions of Americans, yet many people are unaware they have it. According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 37 million adults in the United States are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and roughly 90 percent do not know they have it. About one in three adults is considered at risk due to factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or family history.
For minority communities, those risks are even more pronounced. Data from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases shows that about 20 percent of non-Hispanic Black adults have chronic kidney disease compared with roughly 12 percent of non-Hispanic White adults. Black Americans are more than four times as likely to develop kidney failure, while Hispanic and Native American populations are more than twice as likely to experience end-stage kidney disease.
Public health experts say the disparities are driven by a complex combination of medical, economic, and social factors. Conditions that commonly lead to kidney disease—especially diabetes and high blood pressure—are more prevalent in many Black and Latino communities. Diabetes alone accounts for about 45 percent of new kidney failure cases in the United States, while hypertension is responsible for roughly one quarter of cases.
Access to care also plays a role. The National Kidney Foundation notes that structural inequities such as limited access to preventive care, healthy food options, and affordable healthcare contribute to worse kidney outcomes in underserved communities. These barriers can delay diagnosis and treatment, allowing kidney damage to progress silently over many years.
Even after diagnosis, disparities persist in treatment and transplant access. Black Americans make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population but represent more than one-third of patients receiving dialysis for kidney failure. They also tend to wait longer for kidney transplants and are less likely to receive transplant evaluations compared with white patients, according to research cited by the National Kidney Foundation.
Health advocates say early detection remains one of the most powerful tools to prevent kidney disease from progressing. Because chronic kidney disease often develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages, simple screening tests—such as blood and urine tests that measure kidney function—can identify problems before they become severe.
Doctors also emphasize that lifestyle changes can significantly reduce risk. Managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels is critical, particularly for people with diabetes or a family history of kidney disease. Maintaining a balanced diet with reduced sodium, staying physically active, and avoiding smoking can help protect kidney health over time. Regular medical checkups allow healthcare providers to monitor risk factors and catch potential issues early.
Community organizations and health advocates are increasingly working to close the gap through culturally tailored outreach, free screening events, and patient education programs. These initiatives aim to ensure that people who are most at risk have access to the information and medical support needed to manage their health before kidney damage becomes irreversible.
As National Kidney Month continues, health leaders say the message is clear: kidney disease is both common and often preventable. By increasing awareness, expanding access to screening, and addressing the social factors that shape health outcomes, experts say communities can take meaningful steps toward reducing the unequal toll kidney disease takes on people of color.
