Risks for CKD in African Americans
Did you know African Americans are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease
leading to dialysis and transplant? Compared to other ethnic groups, the African American
population has higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the two leading
causes of kidney disease.
Almost one in every three African Americans has high blood pressure. Out of one million
people, 777 African Americans compared with 269 white Americans experienced kidney failure
in 2002. African Americans make up only about 13% of the U.S. population, yet constitute 35%
of patients treated for kidney failure, and are seven times more likely to get kidney disease
compared to white Americans. African Americans develop kidney failure approximately seven
years younger than white Americans (57 vs. 64 years of age).
Diabetes, the number one cause of kidney disease, is more prevalent in African Americans with
18.2 percent compared to 11.2 percent for white Americans aged 40 to 74. The National survey
suggests that over the past 35 years, the occurrence of diabetes has doubled in African
Americans.
One-third of the African Americans with diabetes are unaware they have the disease.
African Americans make up 34 percent of newly diagnosed high blood pressure cases each year,
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease.
Approximately one in every three African Americans has high blood pressure.
In the 25 to 44 year old age group, the rate of African Americans who get kidney failure caused
by high blood pressure is 20 times higher than white Americans
Some research indicates that African Americans may have a particular gene that makes them
more sensitive to salt, which may be a factor is the increased occurrence of high blood pressure.
Many African Americans may be unaware of the connection between high blood pressure and
chronic kidney disease. Reports indicate that about 43 percent of African Americans who are
on dialysis were not aware they had kidney failure until about one week before starting dialysis.
Risk factors of Diabetes
Type-2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in African Americans. Risk factors for
type-2 diabetes include:
Symptoms of Diabetes
Below are some common symptoms, however, you can feel fine and still have diabetes, so get
checked regularly.
Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney failure in African Americans.
Risk factors for high blood pressure include:
Symptoms of Kidney Disease:
You can feel fine and still have kidney disease, so get checked regularly
More than half of the Americans waiting for kidney transplants are minorities, but they spend
more time on the list because they are less likely than white Americans to find a good genetic
match. Better rejection prevention medication has helped lessen the emphasis on matching
which paved the way for the change in policy
KIDNEY STATISTICS
BY ETHNIC GROUPS
COLORADO 2007
Ethnic Groups (1,132) Waiting List Transplant Percent
WHITES 648 147 23
BLACKS 141 11 8
HISPANIC 269 39 14
ASIAN 38 5 13
AMERICAN INDIAN 34 6 18
PACIFIC ISLANDER 0 0 0
MULTI RACIAL 2 1 50
GROUP 8 (ROCKY MTN REGION)
ETHNIC GROUP (3,344) Waiting List Transplant Percent
WHITES 2,048 704 34
BLACKS 762 148 19
HISPANIC 369 78 21
ASIAN 88 24 27
AMERICAN INDIAN 55 8 15
PACIFIC ISLANDER 9 1 11
MULTI RACIAL 13 4 31
USA (NATIONAL)
ETHNIC GROUP (3,344) Waiting List Transplant Percent
WHITES 31,710 17,603 55
BLACKS 28,219 5,459 19
HISPANIC 14,101 3,679 26
ASIAN 5,406 1,227 23
AMERICAN INDIAN 860 180 21
PACIFIC ISLANDER 460 76 16
MULTI RACIAL 434 133 31
USA POPULATION VS. KIDNEY DISEASE POPULATION
Percent of Percent on
ETHNIC GROUP (3,344) Population Population Waiting
WHITES 221,300,000 74.00 39
BLACKS 40,900,000 13.40 35
HISPANIC 44,300,000 14.80 39
ASIAN 13, 000, 00 4.40 7
AMERICAN INDIAN 2,00,0000 .68 1
PACIFIC ISLANDER 430,000 .14 .5
MULTI RACIAL 25,100,000 8.50 .5
Did you know African Americans are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease
leading to dialysis and transplant? Compared to other ethnic groups, the African American
population has higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, which are the two leading
causes of kidney disease.
Almost one in every three African Americans has high blood pressure. Out of one million
people, 777 African Americans compared with 269 white Americans experienced kidney failure
in 2002. African Americans make up only about 13% of the U.S. population, yet constitute 35%
of patients treated for kidney failure, and are seven times more likely to get kidney disease
compared to white Americans. African Americans develop kidney failure approximately seven
years younger than white Americans (57 vs. 64 years of age).
Diabetes, the number one cause of kidney disease, is more prevalent in African Americans with
18.2 percent compared to 11.2 percent for white Americans aged 40 to 74. The National survey
suggests that over the past 35 years, the occurrence of diabetes has doubled in African
Americans.
One-third of the African Americans with diabetes are unaware they have the disease.
African Americans make up 34 percent of newly diagnosed high blood pressure cases each year,
High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney disease.
Approximately one in every three African Americans has high blood pressure.
In the 25 to 44 year old age group, the rate of African Americans who get kidney failure caused
by high blood pressure is 20 times higher than white Americans
Some research indicates that African Americans may have a particular gene that makes them
more sensitive to salt, which may be a factor is the increased occurrence of high blood pressure.
Many African Americans may be unaware of the connection between high blood pressure and
chronic kidney disease. Reports indicate that about 43 percent of African Americans who are
on dialysis were not aware they had kidney failure until about one week before starting dialysis.
Risk factors of Diabetes
Type-2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in African Americans. Risk factors for
type-2 diabetes include:
- Family history
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Diabetes during pregnancy
- Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
Symptoms of Diabetes
Below are some common symptoms, however, you can feel fine and still have diabetes, so get
checked regularly.
- Thirst
- Increased urination
- Hunger
- Unintended weight loss
- Fatigue
Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney failure in African Americans.
Risk factors for high blood pressure include:
- Aging
- Family history of heart disease
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Using birth control pills
- Using too much salt
Symptoms of Kidney Disease:
- Swelling, especially around the eyes or ankles
- Pain in the lower back
- Burning or unusual sensation during urination
- Bloody or coffee-colored urine
- Urinating more often, especially at night
- Feeling tired
- High blood pressure
You can feel fine and still have kidney disease, so get checked regularly
More than half of the Americans waiting for kidney transplants are minorities, but they spend
more time on the list because they are less likely than white Americans to find a good genetic
match. Better rejection prevention medication has helped lessen the emphasis on matching
which paved the way for the change in policy
KIDNEY STATISTICS
BY ETHNIC GROUPS
COLORADO 2007
Ethnic Groups (1,132) Waiting List Transplant Percent
WHITES 648 147 23
BLACKS 141 11 8
HISPANIC 269 39 14
ASIAN 38 5 13
AMERICAN INDIAN 34 6 18
PACIFIC ISLANDER 0 0 0
MULTI RACIAL 2 1 50
GROUP 8 (ROCKY MTN REGION)
ETHNIC GROUP (3,344) Waiting List Transplant Percent
WHITES 2,048 704 34
BLACKS 762 148 19
HISPANIC 369 78 21
ASIAN 88 24 27
AMERICAN INDIAN 55 8 15
PACIFIC ISLANDER 9 1 11
MULTI RACIAL 13 4 31
USA (NATIONAL)
ETHNIC GROUP (3,344) Waiting List Transplant Percent
WHITES 31,710 17,603 55
BLACKS 28,219 5,459 19
HISPANIC 14,101 3,679 26
ASIAN 5,406 1,227 23
AMERICAN INDIAN 860 180 21
PACIFIC ISLANDER 460 76 16
MULTI RACIAL 434 133 31
USA POPULATION VS. KIDNEY DISEASE POPULATION
Percent of Percent on
ETHNIC GROUP (3,344) Population Population Waiting
WHITES 221,300,000 74.00 39
BLACKS 40,900,000 13.40 35
HISPANIC 44,300,000 14.80 39
ASIAN 13, 000, 00 4.40 7
AMERICAN INDIAN 2,00,0000 .68 1
PACIFIC ISLANDER 430,000 .14 .5
MULTI RACIAL 25,100,000 8.50 .5
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