Kidney Disease in Black America

By Ebony JJ Curry | Michigan Chronicle | Word In Black This& post& was originally published on& Michigan Chronicle Credit: Klaus Nielsen/Pexels (WIB) – Kidney disease, a shadowed giant within Black America, has long lurked in the background of public health discussions, its significance often underestimated in the broader narrative of racial health disparities. But for those in the Black community, it’s neither unfamiliar nor taboo — it’s a reality that touches many, either personally or through someone they know.  In the United States, African Americans are three times more likely to experience kidney failure than their white counterparts. This staggering statistic isn’t just a number; it represents a myriad of stories, struggles, and resilience. The roots of this disparity are deep, intertwined with higher rates of diabetes and hypertension within the Black community, conditions that are leading contributors to kidney disease.& Diana Moore, a 63-year-old Black woman and now widow, reflects on her life since her husband passed away from kidney failure. After years of managing his condition with dialysis, his health progressively worsened until he succumbed to the disease last April. “Those years on dialysis were tough, not just for him, but for both of us,” Diana shares....