Mike Kennedy: “I rise today to highlight that March is designated as National Kidney Month to focus on kidney disease awareness. As a…”

“I rise today to highlight that March is designated as National Kidney Month to focus on kidney disease awareness. As a family doctor, I know firsthand how debilitating this disease can be, especially for those needing to go on dialysis while facing the agonizing wait for a kidney transplant. One of the leading causes of death in the United States, an estimated 35 million American adults are living with chronic kidney disease, including 76,000 in my home State of Utah. Early stage kidney disease can be hard to detect due to the lack of symptoms, which is why as many as 9 out of 10 adults are unaware they even have it. Many Americans are at high risk of chronic kidney disease due to factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. The good news is there are ways we can manage the risk factors. I am very grateful for the Trump administration's focus on making America healthy again because with proper nutrition, hydration, and physical activity, we can push back the rising tide of Americans with chronic conditions like kidney disease. Together, we can raise awareness, encourage regular screenings for early detection, and increase nutrition education for both doctors and patients.”