Black Americans and Kidney Disease: What to Know About Your Risk

Black Americans are almost four times as likely to have kidney disease as other races in the U.S. While they make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population, Black Americans account for 35 percent of the people who have kidney failure.

Why is kidney disease more common in Black Americans?

One common cause of kidney disease is diabetes. When you have high blood sugar, it damages your kidneys and impairs their ability to filter the toxins and fluids in your body.

Other risk factors for the development of kidney disease include:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Larger body size

• Family history

• Socioeconomic barriers to healthcare

Black Americans generally have higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity — all of which may increase the risk for kidney disease. This partially stems from socio-economic inequalities and access to care.

How can you reduce the risk of kidney disease?

Scherly Leon, MD, Internist specializing in Nephrology in New York City, says that it’s crucial to maintain a relationship with your primary care provider (PCP) and to see your doctor on an annual basis.

“If you have high blood pressure, you should know that you will [likely] get [or have] kidney disease,” she says. “It's just a matter of when. If you control your blood pressure and take your medications, you can [often] really slow the progression of kidney disease.”

Here’s what Dr. Leon says you can do to find out about your risk factors for kidney disease:

• Talk to your family about their history of kidney disease

• Develop a trusted relationship with a primary care doctor

• Ask questions about your blood work, urine sample, and GFR (glomerular filtration rate) at your annual checkup

How can early diagnosis of kidney disease be helpful?

It’s especially important to diagnose kidney disease early, which can prevent you from reaching end-stage kidney disease (kidney failure) and needing dialysis.  And while kidney disease can run in families, lifestyle plays a role. Following healthy habits may help you avoid kidney disease or slow its progression.

Lifestyle changes to help lower your kidney disease risk include: 

• Maintaining a healthy diet

• Exercising regularly

• Limiting alcohol intake

• Avoiding or quitting smoking

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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