World Kidney Day Putting Spotlight on Impact of Research
11-3-2024
March 14, 2024 marks World Kidney Day with this year’s message being “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice.”
This year’s theme puts a spotlight on the thousands of hours and millions of dollars being spent on basic and clinical medical research. It’s this research that explores all avenues of a patient’s wellbeing from the function of the kidney to which factors delay the progression of kidney disease, what influences the longevity of a transplant and the impact of exercise and diet on kidney health.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada has and continues to play a major role in kidney research, but it can’t do it alone. The Foundation is partnering with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Infection and Immunity for a pair of new research incentives.
Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award
- This award is aimed to help post-doctoral researchers, clinicians and research associates from underrepresented groups launch their independent research work in Canada.
- The program will maximize Canada's scientific talent while improving health-related knowledge by bridging training and support gaps and promoting diversity.
- The program consists of two phases: tailored mentorship focused on career development and support for establishing and sustaining independent research work in academia.
Team Grants: Embracing Diversity to Achieve Precision and Increase Health Equity
- This grant promotes integrated health research focusing on improving the health of all people in Canada, particularly populations who have historically experienced inequitable health outcomes in Canada.
- Funding will support the development of precision medicine, better understanding health determinants in Indigenous communities as well as in at-risk groups and diverse populations who have historically experienced inequitable health outcomes in Canada.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Infection and Immunity recognize the importance of supporting researchers to ensure a strong kidney research landscape in Canada. They remain committed to ensuring access to treatment and education for kidney disease is available to all, understanding building representative clinicians and researchers is a pertinent step in equity for all.
For more information about World Kidney Day and the Kidney Foundation of Canada head to kidney.ca.