Designates the last Tuesday of April as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day" to promote awareness, genetic testing, and research for this disease that disproportionately affects Black individuals.
Stacey Plaskett
Representative
VI
This bill supports designating the last Tuesday of April as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day" to raise awareness about the genetic factors contributing to kidney disease, which disproportionately affects Black individuals. It encourages increased research, regular medical check-ups, and genetic testing, especially for those with West and Central African ancestry, to promote early detection and prevention. The bill aims to address health disparities and reduce the significant financial burden of kidney disease on the healthcare system.
Push for AMKD Awareness Day: Resolution Highlights APOL1 Gene Link to Kidney Disease, Urges Research
This resolution throws its support behind designating the last Tuesday of April each year as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD) Awareness Day." The main goal? To shine a brighter light on a specific type of kidney disease linked to variations in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene and ramp up research efforts. It specifically calls attention to the significant kidney health disparities faced by Black communities.
The APOL1 Connection: Understanding the Risk
So, what's the deal with AMKD? It's a form of kidney disease tied to inheriting two copies of specific variants in the APOL1 gene. The resolution points out a stark statistic: while Black individuals make up about 13% of the U.S. population, they account for 30% of kidney failure cases. It also notes that about 13% of Black Americans carry these high-risk APOL1 gene variants, significantly increasing their chances of developing kidney disease. This isn't just a health issue; the resolution mentions kidney failure costs Medicare over $45 billion annually, underscoring the need for better prevention and treatment.
Spotlight on Action: Awareness, Testing, and Research
The resolution isn't just about awareness; it encourages concrete steps. It urges people, particularly those with ancestry from Western and Central Africa (where the APOL1 variants are more common), to consider genetic testing to understand their personal risk. Knowing your risk, the resolution suggests, empowers you to take preventative steps like regular medical check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Crucially, it also champions the push for more research to develop treatments specifically for AMKD, highlighting that currently, no FDA-approved options exist. The overall message is clear: more awareness, proactive health measures, and dedicated research are needed to tackle AMKD.