Black K.A.R.E. Initiative

The Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is a recipient of a sub-grant from The Central Area of  The Links, Incorporated to educate the Cincinnati community on Chronic Kidney Disease through The Black K.A.R.E. (Kidney Awareness Resources & Education) Initiative. 

This initiative will raise awareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Black communities, with a focus on its risk factors, complications, treatment--and how to reduce the risk of kidney failure and/or improve outcomes for people living with the condition. 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which your kidneys are damaged and can’t do their job. Excess fluid and waste begin to build up in the body. To understand CKD, we must first understand what kidneys do and why they are important.

Black Americans are at increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at rates far exceeding those for white adults, particularly during middle age. To date, the age-adjusted incidence of kidney disease attributable to diabetes or hypertension was almost 12 times higher compared with white adults.