The Umoona Kidney Project

Abstract

Kidney disease is one of the most serious problems facing Aboriginal Australians. Nationally the number of Aboriginal people with advanced or end-stage kidney disease is six times that of non-Aboriginal Australians. It has recently been predicted that a further 500 Aboriginal people will develop end-stage kidney disease by the year 2004. The only treatment options for Aboriginal people with advanced stage kidney disease are dialysis or transplantation, both of which cause significant social and cultural trauma for the individual and their family. Early detection of renal disease is critical because, if identified early enough, progression to end-stage kidney disease can be slowed or even prevented. As a result, early detection has the potential to significantly reduce the number of Aboriginal people who may ultimately require dialysis or transplantation.