March 2024: Kidney Month

WHEREAS, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an under-recognized public health crisis and is the progressive, gradual loss of kidney function, which results in decreased ability of the kidneys to remove waste from the body; and,

WHEREAS, CKD affects more than 1 in 7 U.S. adults – an estimated 35.5 million people and more than 1 million Michigan adults (age 20 and older) have kidney disease; and,

WHEREAS, as many as 9 out of 10 people with CKD don’t know they have it because CKD usually has no symptoms until the late stages; and,

WHEREAS, CKD is more common in non-Hispanic Black adults (20%) than in non-Hispanic Asian adults (14%) or non-Hispanic white adults (12%); and,

WHEREAS, Black Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are at high risk for developing kidney failure; and,

WHEREAS, more than 23,000 people have end-stage renal disease in Michigan and as of Jan. 1, 2024, 2,020 people in Michigan were waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant; and,

WHEREAS, regular screening and early detection of CKD allows opportunity for disease management that can slow the progression of kidney disease and help prevent kidney failure; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan are shining a light on the prevalence of kidney disease and the percentage of people who might be at risk by calling on the people of Michigan to take the “Minute for Your Kidneys” quiz to raise awareness of kidney disease; and,

WHEREAS, the month of March is designated as Kidney Month, and March 14 is recognized as Kidney Day to raise awareness of kidney disease and the importance of prevention and early detection;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2024 as Kidney Month in Michigan.