Kidney Disease Prevention in the Hispanic Community

Introduction

One of the most important aspects of healthcare today is prevention. Some of the many preventable diseases within the American population include diabetes and kidney disease. A key to such prevention is often medical screening and education. One major challenge medical professionals face today is the growing incidence of kidney disease, not only in the general population, but especially among Hispanics. This population is one of the fastest-growing racial groups in the country (Benabe & Rios, 2004). This group is also twice as likely to develop kidney failure as those who are non-Hispanic and white. For a community nurse, this is of particular concern, especially in terms of strategies to help this population prevent kidney failure and address its underlying causes.

Several important questions arise about this disease within this population. The first, and perhaps most important, question relates to the underlying reasons for the high prevalence of kidney disease among Hispanics. Second, one might ask what preventative measures could be implemented to mitigate this prevalence. Finally, a researcher might ask how treatment can be made more equitable for the Hispanic community compared to those from other populations.

Prevalence and Underlying Causes

According to Benabe and Rios (2004), there is a striking disparity in the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of chronic kidney disease among the Hispanic population of the United States. One of the underlying reasons for this disparity is the increasing rate of diabetes mellitus among Hispanics. Another major factor is that the Hispanic population does not tend to receive an equitable level of care compared to their white counterparts. A lack of screening leads to a lack of early detection and limited access to prevention measures, which creates a higher probability of disease prevalence and mortality. In other words, the racial disparity in the quality of healthcare and insurance available to the Hispanic population plays a significant role in the challenges this community faces.

One important preventative measure is education. According to DaVita Healthcare (2014), diabetes creates a high risk factor for developing renal conditions. Since diabetes has been on the rise among Hispanics, it is important to educate this population about the link between the two conditions. Particularly in persons over 50 years of age, diabetes poses a significant risk and is the number one cause of chronic kidney disease among Hispanics. Yet only one out of three individuals in this population know they have diabetes, making education and routine testing critically important (DaVita Healthcare, 2014).

The Role of Diabetes in Renal Risk

As discussed, a major factor in the prevalence of kidney disease among the Hispanic population is inequitable access to healthcare. Lack of insurance coverage and limited access to primary care reduce opportunities for screening and early intervention, allowing conditions such as diabetes to progress unchecked until they contribute to renal damage. Addressing this structural barrier is essential to any meaningful reduction in the burden of chronic kidney disease within this community.

Conclusion

The Hispanic population faces a greater challenge than the general population in the United States with respect to chronic kidney disease and renal failure. Addressing both the inequitable access to healthcare this group experiences and the need for targeted education about behaviors and conditions that increase renal risk are essential steps forward. As a community nurse, one must ensure the highest level of cultural sensitivity and collaborate with other professionals to create effective prevention and education programs for this population.