The National Medical Association (NMA) assembled the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Consensus Pane in Dana Point, California, June 15-17, 2008.  The NMA staff identified key experts in the field of CKD, or related areas, from academic centers, private practices, associations, research centers, and public health.  Together, these professionals examined the growing epidemic of this disease among people of color within the United States.

The National Medical Association CKD Consensus Panel developed four core topical recommendations to address this health crisis:

1. CKD-related science, clinical practice, and quality of care,
2. Legislation and policy related to CKD and ESRD,
3. National and community-based CKD initiatives, and
4. Development and implementation of a pilot project called Health Empowerment Zone.

This Consensus paper was sponsored in kind by Amgen, Inc.  Headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California, Amgen, Inc continues to be a beacon in helping people fight illness.