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Nephrologist and professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Paul Palevsky, MD, has begun his two-year term as the president of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). Internationally recognized for his expertise in acute kidney injury and critical care nephrology, he has helped lead multiple clinical trials on the treatment of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. He has published more than 290 original articles, reviews, and book chapters, and held several editorial positions at major nephrology journals.
“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to help lead the National Kidney Foundation and to advocate for the estimated 37 million Americans with kidney disease and the millions more at risk. Over the past year we have seen long sought advances in treatment of kidney disease but these new treatments will only be effective if we can actually implement their use in the care of patients. The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the particular vulnerability of patients with kidney disease and highlighted disparities in care among minority and economically disadvantaged communities. Over the next two years I hope to advance the awareness of kidney disease; advocate for more patient centered care, including increased use of home modalities of dialysis; and promote health equity by working to address and eliminate racism and ethnic disparities in kidney health and medicine.”
Dr. Palevsky is professor of medicine in the Renal Electrolyte Division at the University of Pittsburgh and the chief of the Kidney Medicine (Renal) Section at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. He earned his medical degree at Northwestern University, followed by a residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship in nephrology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
The NKF is the largest, most comprehensive, and longstanding patient-centric organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease in the U.S. The President of the NKF is its highest medical volunteer. Working in partnership with the Chairman of the NKF’s National Board of Directors and the Foundation’s staff, the President provides leadership of the medical and scientific resources of the Foundation, and guides the Foundation in medical, scientific and public health matters.
In the United States, 37 million adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease—and approximately 90 percent don’t know they have it. One in three adults in the U.S. are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Risk factors for kidney disease include: diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and family history. People of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease. Blacks or African Americans are almost four times more likely than White Americans to have kidney failure. Hispanics are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanics to have kidney failure.
To learn more, visit the National Kidney Foundation.