Mar 11, 2025

News provided by Share this article Share toX The initiative, taking place on World Kidney Day, promotes improved kidney care and prioritizes early detection of chronic kidney disease among at-risk individuals. BOSTON, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of World Kidney Day, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Healthy.io are proud to partner in offering free kidney health testing at the Kidney Health Expo, which will take place on Capitol Hill on March 13. This year's World Kidney Day theme, "Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health," underscores the urgency of early detection and proactive kidney care. The event will bring together lawmakers, healthcare advocates, and the public to raise awareness about chronic kidney disease (CKD), expand early detection efforts, and advance legislative priorities that support kidney health. CKD is often called a silent killer because it can develop unnoticed for years before reaching advanced stages. One in three adults are at risk, yet only 20% complete guideline-recommended albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) - a critical indicator of CKD risk and progression. The underdiagnosis of CKD, a national health crisis, is associated with increased hospitalizations, cardiovascular complications, and the need for dialysis treatments. With kidney disease among the leading causes of death and costing Medicare over $136 billion annually, strong policy incentives and improved care models are essential to enhancing diagnosis rates, expanding testing access, and supporting innovative treatments that prevent disease progression. NKF and Healthy.io will offer free at-home kidney test kits to event participants using Healthy.io's Minuteful Kidney™ test, the first and only FDA-cleared, smartphone-powered at-home uACR test. These tests allow at-risk individuals to assess their kidney health from home and be supported on next steps, breaking down traditional barriers to care and empowering them to take control of their health. Raising awareness of uACR testing highlights the policy tools that can drive early detection, save lives, and dramatically improve kidney disease management. During the event, test kits will be distributed to eligible attendees, allowing them to use their smartphones for real-time clinical-grade testing and receive instant results about their kidney function. "Chronic kidney disease is a silent epidemic affecting millions of Americans, yet far too many go undiagnosed until it reaches advanced stages," said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. "We are proud to stand with Healthy.io and advocate for policies that expand access to early detection and improve outcomes for patients at risk for kidney disease. World Kidney Day is an important opportunity to engage policymakers and the public in advancing solutions that break down barriers to care and ensure that more people have the opportunity to assess their kidney health before it's too late." "Too many people remain unaware of their kidney disease risk until they find themselves in the emergency room, learning they have CKD," said Geoff Martin, CEO of Healthy.io. "We are excited to bring real solutions to this healthcare crisis and engage directly with those who can make a difference. By placing clinical-grade innovations in the palms of people's hands and expanding access to testing, we can improve early detection and drive better health outcomes nationwide." The Kidney Health Expo will emphasize the urgent need for legislative and policy action to improve early CKD diagnosis, incentivize broader testing access, address gaps in treatment options, and invest in innovative solutions to reduce the burden of kidney disease. With March recognized as National Kidney Month, this event serves as a critical opportunity to drive awareness and policy changes that will transform kidney care nationwide. About the National Kidney Foundation The National Kidney Foundation is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. For more information about NKF, visit www.kidney.org . About Healthy.io Healthy.io is a global leader in transforming the smartphone camera into a medical device. The company's at-home urinalysis services enable providers and healthcare systems to reach high-risk, previously untested individuals. Healthy.io partners with leading health insurers and providers to integrate Minuteful Kidney™ in their kidney management programs. Minuteful Kidney™ is marketed commercially across the United States and the United Kingdom and is the only FDA-cleared, smartphone-powered at-home kidney test that allows patients to take the test in the privacy of their homes and receive immediate clinical-grade results. The service removes the barriers associated with traditional lab testing and averts the road to dialysis. For more information about Healthy.io, visit www.healthy.io