A house RESOLUTION

 

TO DECLARE MARCH 2026 AS "KIDNEY AWARENESS MONTH" IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026, AS "APOL1-MEDIATED KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS DAY" AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS OF THE PALMETTO STATE TO BECOME BETTER INFORMED ABOUT APOL1-MEDIATED KIDNEY DISEASE AND THOSE WITH WESTERN OR CENTRAL AFRICAN ANCESTRY TO CONSIDER GENETIC TESTING.

 

Whereas, in South Carolina today, there are 14,372 people who have been diagnosed with kidney failure. Most are unaware that they have it. For every three adults in the United States, one is at risk for kidney disease, and the risk can be even higher for people of color. Further, those with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, or a family history of kidney disease may have a kidney disorder. If left unchecked, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. However, early detection can help with successful treatment of kidney disease; and

 

Whereas, there are 4,105 South Carolina residents living with a kidney transplant, 10,267 on dialysis, and more than 1,531 on the kidney transplant waiting list. Further, 607 kidney transplants were performed in South Carolina in 2024; and

 

Whereas, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) believes everyone should have an equal chance at a healthy life, regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, and the organization is committed to putting kidney disease and its risk factors front and center within the context of health disparities and the needs of all kidney patients; and

 

Whereas, AKF is revolutionizing the fight to save lives by eliminating preventable kidney disease, accelerating innovation for the dignity of the patient experience, and dismantling structural inequities in kidney care, dialysis, and transplantation. To help accomplish its goals, AKF is calling on all Americans to research whether or not they are part of the 33% at risk for kidney disease; and

 

Whereas, Black people with kidney disease are more likely to develop kidney failure than any other racial/ethnic group. The health disparities in kidney failure are unsustainable, with Black people making up 13% of the U.S. population but accounting for 35% of those with kidney failure; and

 

Whereas, additional awareness and research of APOL1 genetic mutations are needed to improve understanding of kidney disease disparities; and

 

Whereas, kidney failure places enormous physical, emotional, and financial burdens on individuals and costs the Medicare program over $50 billion annually; and

 

Whereas, certain genetic factors can increase an individual's risk for kidney disease. One such genetic factor is variants (mutations) in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene. Individuals from Western or Central Africa or who have an ancestor from these regions are more likely to have APOL1 gene variants. These variants can increase susceptibility for APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease (AMKD), a rapidly progressive form of kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure; and

 

Whereas, it is estimated that if a patient has variants in both copies of the APOL1 gene, there is a one-in-five chance that such a patient will develop kidney disease and that 13% of Black Americans have variants in both copies of the APOL1 gene. Moreover, a person with AMKD may have no symptoms of kidney disease until the kidneys are close to failure, but genetic testing can reveal risk for AMKD, empowering individuals to take the necessary steps to protect kidney health before it is too late; and

 

Whereas, individuals with APOL1 genetic variants can reduce their risk of kidney failure by meeting with their doctors regularly, eating a healthy diet, taking all medications as prescribed, exercising for at least thirty minutes per day, and not smoking or otherwise using tobacco. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, declare March 2026 as "Kidney Awareness Month" in South Carolina and Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as "APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease Awareness Day" and encourage all citizens of the Palmetto State to become better informed about APOL1-Mediated Kidney Disease and those with Western and Central African ancestry to consider genetic testing.

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