Chronic kidney disease: a public health problem that needs a public health action plan

Prev Chronic Dis. 2006 Apr;3(2):A57. Epub 2006 Mar 15.

Abstract

For a health problem or condition to be considered a public health issue, four criteria must be met: 1) the health condition must place a large burden on society, a burden that is getting larger despite existing control efforts; 2) the burden must be distributed unfairly (i.e., certain segments of the population are unequally affected); 3) there must be evidence that upstream preventive strategies could substantially reduce the burden of the condition; and 4) such preventive strategies are not yet in place. Chronic kidney disease meets these criteria for a public health issue. Therefore, as a complement to clinical approaches to controlling it, a broad and coordinated public health approach will be necessary to meet the burgeoning health, economic, and societal challenges of chronic kidney disease.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Public Health / standards*
  • Public Health Practice*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / prevention & control*
  • United States