March 9, 2023, marks the 18th World Kidney Day. This year's theme is: "Kidney Health for All – Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable."

To raise global awareness and attention to chronic kidney disease, the International Society of Nephrology and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations jointly advocated for the establishment of "World Kidney Day" in 2006, observed annually on the second Thursday of March.

Chronic kidney disease has now become one of the major threats to human health. Statistics indicate that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among adults in China is as high as 10.8%, meaning that one in every ten adults is affected by kidney disease[1]. Its rate of disability and mortality growth ranks first among chronic diseases, yet the awareness rate is only 12.5%[2]. Insufficient understanding of kidney health and disease is widespread, not only among the general population and patients but also within the healthcare sector.

To call for greater attention to the prevention of chronic kidney disease and to help more patients master post-diagnosis self-health management, DaVita (Shandong) Kidney Disease Hospital organized kidney patient meetings at both of its campuses on March 9, 2023, in observance of World Kidney Day.

At the dialysis center waiting hall of the Changqing campus and the lounge of the Tianqiao campus, over a hundred patients and their families gathered to attentively listen to an educational seminar on hemodialysis-related knowledge, exchange experiences, and foster a positive attitude toward managing their condition. This kidney patient event was hosted by the Digital Marketing Center and featured presentations by kidney disease experts, including Deputy Chief Physician Ma Guohua, Medical Department Director Cheng Xianying, Nursing Department Head Nurse Zheng Lanping, and Head Nurse Guan Hongyan. The session aimed to enhance public understanding of kidney diseases and promote collective efforts in safeguarding kidney health.

The host introduced DaVita's development journey, dialysis standards, and professional expertise to the kidney patients, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in the hospital by patients and their families over the years. The medical department highlighted common dietary misconceptions, explaining the risks of high-salt, high-potassium, and high-phosphorus diets. They also elaborated in detail on the importance for hemodialysis patients of controlling fluid intake, reducing the risk of heart failure, and improving their quality of life. The nursing department, focusing on arteriovenous fistula aneurysms, engaged with the patients in a discussion on the daily care of the vascular access—often referred to as the "lifeline" for dialysis.

The quality of life for kidney patients is not only related to medical staff but also closely tied to the patients' own knowledge, acceptance, level of compliance, and the understanding and support from their families. Each patient gathering is not only an opportunity to educate about healthcare but, more importantly, a platform to focus on the mental well-being of kidney patients and to build a more effective communication channel between healthcare providers and patients, thereby strengthening the relationship between them.

DaVita (Shandong) Kidney Disease Hospital is a Sino-U.S. joint venture hospital controlled by DaVita Group, a Fortune 500 company in the United States. It is a healthcare institution dedicated to improving care services to enhance the quality of life for patients globally. Our vision is to build a medical community unlike any other in the world. DaVita was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1995 under the ticker symbol "DVA." "DaVita" is an Italian word meaning "giving life." Within DaVita, there are leading industry teams, such as DaVita Clinical Research, DaVita Labs, DaVita Home Services, and DaVita Integrated Dialysis Services, which bring global advancements to ensure we remain at the forefront of science and clinical practice.

[1] Zhang L, et al. Lancet. 2012 Mar 3;379(9818):815-822.

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [Internet]. Chronic kidney disease in the United States; 2019 [cited 2021 Jul 08]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/2019-national-facts.html