Kidney Health Awareness in Teenagers

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2025

Publication Title

Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

Abstract

Background: Kidney disease poses a significant health challenge both globally and in the United States, where it affects 1 in 7 adults. Despite the severe consequences, most kidney diseases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. This study hypothesizes that there is a lack of awareness about kidney health among the population. Knowledge about kidney health appears to be less widespread compared to that of other organs like the heart. Chronic kidney disease is often incurable, leading to high rates of disability and mortality, yet awareness around it remains insufficient.

Methods: To explore this hypothesis, a multiple-choice survey consisting of 20 questions was created to assess American teenagers’ ( age 13-17) awareness of kidney and heart health. The survey was divided into 7 sections, assessing knowledge of kidneys in comparison to the heart, focusing on basic functions, diseases, and preventive care. To analyze the results, the average score for each relevant section was calculated. A comparative analysis was done between the average scores of the kidney and heart related sections.

Results: Survey collected 632 responses nationally. For basic knowledge, thekidney health section had an average score of 44.54%, while heart health had one of 77.54%. The disease knowledge section showed similar results,with kidney disease knowledge averaging to 30.22% and heart disease to 70.17%. For the prevention and lifestyle awareness section, the avereage score came out to be a 54.53%.

Conclusion: A significant gap exists between awareness of heart and kidney health, respondents demonstrated much higher knowledge of the heart compared to the kidneys in both categories (basic function and diseases). Additionally, many students lack understanding of how to maintain kidney health and prevent kidney disease. Without proper awareness, young individuals may engage in behaviors that increase their risk of kidney disease later in adult life. The survey establishes the need for improving education of kidney health and disease.

Volume

36

Issue

10S

Comments

Kidney Week 2025, American Society of Nephrology Meeting, November 5-9, 2025, Houston, TX

DOI

10.1681/ASN.2025nhdzgqx8

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