Advertisement
Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from CKD -- including anestimated 650,000 New York City residents -- and another estimated 20 millionare at risk. The basketball clinic, hosted by Shape Up New York and sponsoredby the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and Ortho BiotechProducts, L.P., aims to increase awareness about these health problems andencourage individuals who may be at risk to speak with their doctors.
Advertisement
The clinic will take place at the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center,located at 85 Bradhurst Avenue & 146th Street in East Harlem, at 6 p.m. EDT.
Nearly 20 percent of the adult population in East Harlem and the SouthBronx has diabetes, a risk factor for CKD, according to a report by the CityUniversity of New York and the Public Health Association of New York City.The report also noted that African Americans with diabetes are more than twiceas likely to develop CKD than individuals of other ethnic backgrounds with thedisease. In addition, African Americans have a higher incidence of high bloodpressure compared to other ethnic groups, which, if left untreated, can alsocause CKD.
"Chronic kidney disease can occur at any age, and I want to encouragethose who may be at risk to get tested and treated," said Mourning. "It isimportant for people to understand the risk factors for the disease and totalk to their doctors. Had I been aware of the disease, I might have beendiagnosed earlier and prevented my condition from worsening."
The most common risk factors of CKD are diabetes, high blood pressure anda family history of kidney disease. In New York City, approximately 800,000adults have diabetes, while an estimated 2 million adults have high bloodpressure.
"The American Diabetes Association, the American Association of KidneyPatients and the National Kidney Foundation all emphasize the importance ofscreening for CKD in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure," saidSimon Prince, MD, FACP, FASN, and a nephrologist in the New York City area."We encourage children and their parents to attend the clinic together, listento Alonzo's story and learn more about CKD and its risk factors. Earlyrecognition and intervention are crucial to improving health outcomes."
Mourning was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2000, and had a kidneytransplant in 2003. Since then, he has made a triumphant return to the NBA,and has dedicated much of his life to helping others with kidney disease. Inaddition to Mourning, AAKP President, Roberta Wager, RN, MSN, will beavailable to discuss some of the resources available to patients who have CKD.
About Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition in which the kidneys areunable to function effectively. Many people, including Mourning before hisdiagnosis, do not realize that they have CKD, or are at risk for developingit, until they have reached the advanced stages of the condition. Theincidence of CKD appears to be correlated to diabetes and high blood pressure.Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD in the U.S.
About Shape Up New York(TM)
Shape Up New York is a FREE family fitness program offered at parks sites,community centers and housing sites around New York City. Fitness classes areopen to adults and children. Classes include step aerobics, fitness walking,light weights, stretching and toning exercises. Shape Up New York is designedto encourage the development of healthy lifestyles and help
