During my dietetic internship at the West LA VA, the dialysis rotation broke my heart I realized the road that led many of the patients to ESRD. The majority of patients were black and brown men.
The most sickening part of this epidemic of kidney failure? The dialysis center business in the US in 2022 was at $26.9 billion and growing yearly. These corporations are profiting from an unjust system that in many ways is disproportionately destroying BIPOC lives and communities at every turn. To make matters worse, the US government and our tax dollars through Medicare (which covers cost of dialysis regardless of age) are providing the incentive for nothing to be done to change the system. Or address climate change.
Now I'm thinking about the kidney, too. Thank you for this incredible perspective and the resources to learn more. (Also, I have been to New Orleans in August and I cannot imagine being restricted to a 32oz bottle of water or not having an air conditioned hotel room as a mid-day reprieve)
Brilliant essay!
During my dietetic internship at the West LA VA, the dialysis rotation broke my heart I realized the road that led many of the patients to ESRD. The majority of patients were black and brown men.
The most sickening part of this epidemic of kidney failure? The dialysis center business in the US in 2022 was at $26.9 billion and growing yearly. These corporations are profiting from an unjust system that in many ways is disproportionately destroying BIPOC lives and communities at every turn. To make matters worse, the US government and our tax dollars through Medicare (which covers cost of dialysis regardless of age) are providing the incentive for nothing to be done to change the system. Or address climate change.
Now I'm thinking about the kidney, too. Thank you for this incredible perspective and the resources to learn more. (Also, I have been to New Orleans in August and I cannot imagine being restricted to a 32oz bottle of water or not having an air conditioned hotel room as a mid-day reprieve)
This should really be required reading on all nutrition and dietetic programmes.