According to the results of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA)’s 2018 Health Promotion Status and Results Survey (HPSS), people above the age of 18 still lack knowledge about kidney disease. About 20% don’t know that urinalysis can measure kidney function; 50% don’t know that poor control of blood pressure can cause kidney disease; 20% don’t know that poor control of blood sugar can cause kidney disease. In view of this, HPA responded to the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundation (IFKF) jointly set the theme for World Kidney Day on March 10 this year as "Kidney Health for All—Bridge the knowledge gap to better kidney care", urging the public to control the 3 highs and adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as smoking cessation, healthy diet and regular exercise. At the same time, it is emphasized that primary care providers need to possess sufficient ability to identify and care for patients with kidney disease. It is hoped that through the cooperation at all levels of healthcare, we can reduce the incidence of kidney disease, delay the deterioration of kidney function and prevent patients from entering dialysis.

The common risk factors for chronic kidney disease include overweight and obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2), thick waist circumference, high blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids. According to the analysis of Adult Preventive Health Service data of HPA in 2020, nearly 20% people above the age of 40 have the kidney function loss, and as high as 30% have high blood glucose. HPA reminds that the result of "urine test" and blood test are important indicators to determine whether the kidney is healthy or not. High-risk group for kidney disease need to regularly participate in health check-ups provided by the government to monitor the changes of their kidney function. HPA also provides adult preventive healthcare services every 3 years for people aged 40 years to 64 years and per year for people aged 65 years and above, so as to facilitate the early detection of chronic kidney disease and 3 highs. Active control of related risk factors is the key to grasping kidney health.

Hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are common risk factors for kidney disease. If there is no timely control and treatment, it will damage the kidney and affect kidney function. According to the 3 highs survey of HPA in 2007, people with high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high blood lipids (3 highs) are 1.7 times, 2.3 times and 1.6 times more likely to suffer from kidney disease within 5 years than those without 3 highs. According to the results of the National Nutrition and Health Status Survey of HPA from 2017 to 2020, the prevalence of patients with kidney disease people above the age of 19 suffering from hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia are 3.8 times, 2.6 times and 4.6 times higher than those of non-3 highs patients with kidney disease, respectively. It can be seen that the control of 3 highs has its importance for patients with kidney disease. Director General Chao Chun Wu of HPA emphasized that the public should actively cooperate with professional healthcare teams for care, guidance and receive regular treatment. Don’t listen to the folk remedies or unknown herbal medicines in the market. Health management, regular medication and regular monitoring of the 3 highs, and the development of healthy diet, exercise and good living habits are the only ways to benefit the kidney.

HPA encourages 227 Kidney Disease Health Promotion Institutes to link with the National Health Insurance Administration's quality care program and cultivate the ability to provide quality care for patients with chronic kidney disease. Based on domestic and foreign evidence-based practice, HPA jointly published the "Early Chronic Kidney Disease Care Handbook" with the Taiwan Society of Nephrology. This is the best guidance for professional healthcare personnel to care for patients with early-stage kidney disease. It also ensures that the public can obtain sufficient knowledge about kidney disease care, through which they can adopt a multi-pronged approach combining lifestyle, exercise, diet, and medication and face up to kidney disease treatment. Those approaches are proven effective in delaying the development of kidney disease and enabling the patient to win back their kidneys and life.

In response to the 2022 World Kidney Day, HPA jointly held a press conference with the Taiwan Society of Nephrology, the Taiwan Kidney Foundation, and associations of related professional fields. As a follow-up to expand public’s health literacy about kidney disease, the Taiwan Society of Nephrology will officially launch the "Good Kidneys, Good Life Online Running Campaign" on March 10 (Thursday). Through combining the application of indoor and outdoor running APPs, and enriching the knowledge of kidney disease-related symptoms, healthcare and prevention, the public will be able to improve the awareness of kidney disease. In addition, at 2:00 pm on March 27, a garden party will be held at the circular square of the Kaohsiung Cultural Center, and everyone is welcome to participate. Detailed information can be found on the official website of “Good Kidneys, Good Life” (http://www.ckd-tsn.org.tw/).