The Decade of the Kidney™ campaign is a pan-European campaign which aims to put the spotlight on kidney disease at EU level for the next ten years. The campaign was first initiated in the United-States by the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) in 2019 and launched in Europe as part of World Kidney Day 2021 by the European Kidney Health Alliance (EKHA).

Currently, 1 in 10 Europeans suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and it is projected to be the 5th cause of death worldwide in 2040. The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the situation with CKD being the first risk factor for COVID-19 mortality, ahead of lung and heart diseases. In addition to the increasing mortality figures, kidney disease treatments have not substantially improved in the last 50 years, leaving too many kidney patients with a poor quality of life and a lower life-expectancy. This situation is associated with staggering aggregated yearly costs amounting to EUR 140 billion a year for Europe, more than the annual healthcare costs for cancer or diabetes.  

Kidney Disease has been neglected far too long and it is time, now more than ever, to reduce its burden and improve the quality of life of patients. Following in the footsteps of the important work already accomplished by the AAKP in the United-States, the Decade of the Kidney™ will gather relevant stakeholders and partners to accelerate this change in Europe. Through a wide range of advocacy activities, the campaign will raise awareness of the challenges and unmet needs in kidney disease, with a focus on the importance of prevention, data collection and sharing, home therapies, personalised medicine, patient education & empowerment and regenerative medicine.

As a first outcome of the campaign, EKHA has published, together with 89 other organisations, a Call to Action on improving prevention, treatment and care of Chronic Kidney Disease in Europe. This document provides sustainable and cost-effective recommendations to address the pressing and long-term challenges surrounding CKD in Europe in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How can you support the Decade of the Kidney™?

  • Participate in EKHA’s efforts

EKHA has established two working groups to foster collaboration and define the priorities of the Decade of the Kidney™ in Europe:

  • Working group 1: Prevention & Disease Management
  • Working group 2: Ground-breaking Innovation in Kidney Replacement Therapy

We welcome any motivated individual involved in kidney disease, from every sector, who would like to participate actively in the discussions and make a positive change for patients. Please contact us if you are interested.

  • Spread the word and stay tuned

Follow EKHA on social media, share our messages, attend our events and sign up to receive the EKHA newsflash.

  • Join us as a member

EKHA welcomes the involvement of European and national not-for-profit kidney-related organisations representing patients, nurses and physicians. Joining EKHA will not only facilitate your participation in the Decade of the Kidney™ campaign but will also allow you to provide input into EKHA’s general policy work.   

Read EKHA brochure for learn more about the membership’s benefits.

For further information:

Find out more on the Decade of the Kidney™ in the United-States and the AAKP