Kidney Action Week (10 – 17 August) is highlighting the importance of early detection, with Kidney Health Australia encouraging people at risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to speak with their GP about a simple urine test that can help identify kidney damage before symptoms develop.
Many people are unaware they have kidney disease until it has progressed significantly. According to Kidney Health Australia, a person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function without experiencing symptoms, making routine screening critical for those at increased risk.
The campaign, “Start Taking The Piss” is also raising awareness of the role urine testing plays in early detection. Kidney Health Australia reports that 77% of people at risk of kidney disease have not had a kidney urine test in the past 24 months.
In Western Sydney, chronic disease risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease are major contributors to CKD risk. Males also experience higher hospitalisation rates for chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for ongoing prevention and early intervention strategies[1].
GPs: Resources and Tools
GPs: consider a comprehensive Kidney Health Check for patients at risk of CKD. Patients who:
- have high blood pressure
- experience heart disease
- diabetes
- obesity,
- have a history of smoking or vaping,
- previous acute kidney injury,
- a family history of kidney failure,
- are over 60 years of age,
- or are First Nations Australians aged over 18 years.
The check includes a blood test, blood pressure assessment and urine test, providing a simple and effective way to identify kidney disease earlier and support timely management.
As part of Kidney Action Week, health professionals can also participate in the Kidney Health Australia CKD Sprint, a short-term quality improvement activity designed to improve the identification and assessment of people at risk of chronic kidney disease through increased use of urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) testing.
A national Kidney Action Week webinar will be held on 6 August at 7:30pm, providing information and practical strategies to support kidney disease detection and management in primary care. Register here.
Join the campaign, download posters and fact sheets on the website: https://kidney.org.au/takethepiss
Reference: [1] Needs Assessment 2025-2028