Kidney Health Screenings

One out of every 3 adults in the United States is at risk of life-threatening kidney disease. Most people don’t even know they are at risk. Kidney Health Screening can help save lives. The general public can get free kidney health screenings in their communities through several initiatives.

KEEP Healthy Screening from National Kidney Foundation

KEEP Healthy is a free kidney disease screening program from the National Kidney Foundation. KEEP Healthy events are held in many states. Screenings include

An assessment to determine kidney disease risk
Height and weight measurements; body mass index (BMI) calculation
Urine test for those at higher risk of kidney disease
Educational materials
Opportunity to talk to a healthcare professional

Go to kidney.org/keephealthy to find a KEEP Healthy event near your community.

Photo of a woman being measured for height

Alternative Screening When KEEP Healthy Events Are Not Available

Here is another way to assess CKD risk when an in-person screening is not available in your community:

Go to MinuteForYourKidneys.org to take a 1-minute risk assessment.
Ask your doctor for 2 simple lab tests (GFR and ACR) to screen for kidney disease.
Ask your doctor specific questions about your kidney health.

KidneyMobile® Screening in Illinois

Every year thousands of people in Illinois get kidney disease screening and education from KidneyMobile^®. These free, kidney health screening events are offered by the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

KidneyMobile events include

No cost, comprehensive medical tests
Opportunity to go over screening results with a medical professional onsite
Information on health and wellness
Tips for a healthier lifestyle
Referral to a healthcare provider if needed
Nutritional consultation with Foundation Dietitian

To find a KidneyMobile event, go to https://www.nkfi.org/get-screened to use the KidneyMobile map. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

How to Develop and Host Your Own Kidney Health Screening Event

Individual Links chapters can hold local screenings for kidney disease. Here is what you need to set up a screening:

Arrange with a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant to attend the screening to answer questions.
Arrange with a nurse, medical assistant, pharmacist, or a student enrolled in a healthcare training program to attend to take blood pressure measurements.
(Optional) Partner with a local pharmacy to conduct glucose screening.
Set up a height and weight station. Use a reliable scale. Tape a measuring tape to the wall to measure height. Tape a BMI chart on the wall.
Have a laptop available with internet access so that participants can take the online screening assessment at MinuteForYourKidneys.org. They will see results immediately as well as get a copy of their results by email.
Provide a table with printed Public Awareness Handouts. Consider providing a list of low-cost healthcare providers in your community available from https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/.
Give a Kidney Health Screening Passport to participants as they arrive. This handout will provide a place for participants to record their screening results and keep notes about their onsite healthcare professional consultation. Participants can take the Passport to their next doctor’s visit for follow-up.