Tackling health inequalities
There is still a long way to go to close the unfair gaps in kidney health, access to care, and progression of kidney disease.
Our aim is to improve early detection and diagnosis of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes within underserved, at risk communities ensuring timely, equitable access to treatment.
The peer educator programme
Our peer education initiative is designed to tackle health inequalities by improving early detection and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related conditions in underserved communities.
At the heart of this programme are peer educators – trusted individuals from communities most affected by CKD. Equipped with accredited training they deliver life changing messages in culturally appropriate and relevant ways.
Our peer education approach has demonstrated its ability to increase detection rates in at-risk populations, and we’re now scaling this impact across the UK.
- How we work
We work in partnership with local health care systems and at-risk communities to deliver and embed a peer education intervention within the clinical pathway to improve early detection and diagnosis of kidney (and other related) diseases.
We work together to increase the evidence base for peer education intervention to drive adoption within local healthcare pathways and encourage take up by other systems.
- Our preferred model of delivery is based on Hidden CKD
This was piloted in South East London and takes place in community and faith spaces with screening and point of care testing undertaken by highly trained peer educators.
The approach is based on six core principles which can be adopted by healthcare systems to work with local services and be co-produced with the local communities.
Partnership and support
Working together to achieve equality in early detection and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.
How we work in partnership:
- Hidden CKD Community Toolkit:
Developed by the Hidden CKD team, Kidney Research UK and the London Kidney Network, this is a practical toolkit outlining how healthcare systems can develop Hidden CKD locally. It is based on the six core principles underpinned by robust evidence and real-life experience and learnings.
- Funding and delivery partner:
We will collaborate with pioneer health geographies and act as a funding and delivery partner.
- Delivery partner:
Our peer education team can act as delivery partner and help provide support for you to set up and deliver.
Our current projects:
Supporting resources
Tools and recommendations to support creating health equity for all.
The HIDDEN CKD Community
Toolkit
The toolkit outlines approaches that Integrated Care Systems can use or replicate a similar CKD Community Outreach Programme in their neighbourhoods
Time To Act: A Review of Kidney Health Inequalities
Our report brings together evidence from people affected by kidney disease, health professionals and researchers. Including recommendations to move us towards equitable kidney health.
Got a question? Get in touch.
For more information or if you have any questions, get in touch with our health equity team: