Kidney Check: Identifying kidney disease and diabetes in BC First Nations communities

• Main Author: Turner, Catherine
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: Morressier 2017
• Subjects: Canada; First Nations
• Online Access: https://openresearchlibrary.org/viewer/b81e056f-4f56-4da5-950f-c56caaaa5e4c; https://openresearchlibrary.org/ext/api/media/b81e056f-4f56-4da5-950f-c56caaaa5e4c/assets/external_content.pdf; https://doi.org/10.26226/morressier.5d5ec39e5c54eaf9e00b3c07

BackgroundKidney disease has a strong impact on the health and wellness of Indigenous communities in Canada. Therefore, a national strategy to improve kidney health must include meaningful, culturally appropriate engagement with Indigenous peoples. The Can-SOLVE CKD Network is a pan-Canadian patient-oriented kidney research initiative that is working to improve the health of all Canadians and bring Indigenous ways of knowing into health research.MethodsThe Can-SOLVE CKD Network is working with BC Renal and the First Nations Health Authority to develop and implement a new program that will bring kidney, diabetes, and blood pressure checks to First Nations communities. Kidney Check is a screening, triage, and treatment program using point-of-care testing and trained health care teams. Each participating community has the opportunity to design and work with the Can-SOLVE CKD team to develop a locally acceptable program, which helps to identify healthy kidneys as well as those with mild, moderate or severe kidney problems. The results will be shared with participants in real time. Each person tested will also participate in building their own kidney health plan, including follow-up goals for maintaining kidney health.ResultsTen BC communities have been chosen through a transparent process to be part of phase 1 of the program, which is launching in Fall 2019. The ultimate aim is to roll out Kidney Check to all Indigenous communities in BC. Kidney Check programs are also under development in Alberta and Manitoba.ConclusionThe Kidney Check program aims to help keep kidneys healthy and is working in partnership with First Nations communities to do so.