Make Health a Family Reunion Affair. A Guide to Discussing the Connection between Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Kidney Disease at Your Family Reunion

摘要

Family reunions are fun and give relatives plenty of time to talk about old times, honor ancestors, sample favorite family recipes, and enjoy being together. And while the family is together, its also a great time to talk about family health. This guide will help you talk to your family about kidney disease and its connection to diabetes and high blood pressure. You may know family members who have diabetes or high blood pressure or both. What you may not know is that these conditions are the two leading causes of kidney failure, which affects African Americans more than other groups. Thats why it is important to talk to your family about the risk factors for kidney disease, the need to get tested, and the treatments that are available. This guide contains the basic information needed to talk to your family about kidney disease and steps they can take to protect their kidneys. You can use the guide yourself or pass it on to the person planning your next family reunion. Either way, you are helping to start (or continue) an important discussion about family health.