Kidney health for all: bridging the gap in kidney health education and literacy.

The high burden of kidney disease, global disparities in kidney care and poor outcomes of kidney failure bring a concomitant growing burden to persons affected, their families and caregivers and the community at large. Health literacy is the degree to which persons and organizations have or equitably enable individuals to have the ability to find, understand and use information and services to make informed health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Rather than viewing health literacy as a patient deficit, improving health literacy largely rests with healthcare providers communicating and educating effectively in codesigned partnership with those with kidney disease. For kidney policymakers, health literacy provides the imperative to shift organizations to a culture that places the person at the center of healthcare. The growing capability of and access to technology provides new opportunities to enhance education and awareness of kidney disease for all stakeholders. Advances in telecommunication, including social media platforms, can be leveraged to enhance persons' and providers' education. The World Kidney Day declares 2022 as the year of 'Kidney Health for All' to promote global teamwork in advancing strategies in bridging the gap in kidney health education and literacy. Kidney organizations should work toward shifting the patient-deficit health literacy narrative to that of being the responsibility of healthcare providers and health policymakers. By engaging in and supporting kidney health-centered policymaking, community health planning and health literacy approaches for all, the kidney communities strive to prevent kidney diseases and enable living well with kidney disease.

Given the high burden of kidney disease and global disparities related to kidney care, in carrying forward our mission of advocating ‘Kidney Health for All’, the challenging issue of bridging the well-identified gap in the global understanding of kidney disease and its health literacy is the theme for World Kidney Day (WKD) 2022. Health literacy is defined as the degree to which persons and organizations have—or equitably enable individuals to have—the ability to find, understand and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others [1]. Not only is there growing recognition of the role that health literacy has in determining outcomes for persons affected by kidney disease and the community in general, there is also an emergent imperative for policymakers worldwide to be informed and cognizant of opportunities and real measurable outcomes that can be achieved through kidney-specific preventative strategies.

THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WITH KIDNEY DISEASE

Most people are not aware of what kidneys are for or even where their kidneys are. For those afflicted by disease and the subsequent effects on overall health, effective healthcare provider communication is required to support individuals to be able to understand what to do, to make decisions and to take action. Health literacy involves more than functional abilities of an individual; it is also the cognitive and social skills needed to gain access to, understand and use information to manage a health condition [2]. It is also contextual [3] in that as health needs change, so too does the level of understanding and ability to problem solve. Health literacy is therefore an interaction between individuals, healthcare providers and health policymakers [4]. This is why the imperatives around health literacy are now recognized as indicators for the quality of local and national healthcare systems and healthcare professionals within it [5]. For chronic kidney disease (CKD), as the disease progresses alongside other health changes and increasing treatment complexities, it becomes more difficult for individuals to manage [6]. Promoted in health policy for about a decade involving care partnerships between health-centered policy, community health planning and health literacy [7], current approaches need to be shifted forward (Table 1).

Table 1.

Summary characteristic of kidney health promotion involving kidney health–centered policy, community kidney health planning and kidney health literacy, and proposed future direction

Kidney health promotion	Definition	Stakeholders	Current status	Limitations/challenges	Suggested solutions/future research
Kidney health–centered policy	Incorporate kidney health into policy decision-makingPrioritize policies with primary prevention for CKD	GovernancePolicymakersInsurance agencies	Policy emphasizing treatment for CKD and kidney failure rather than kidney health prevention	Economic-driven situation challenging CKD risk factor minimization (e.g., food policy)	Promote implementation of public health program for primary CKD preventionPromote sustainable treatment for CKD and dialysisIncrease kidney transplant awarenessEnhance visibility and encourage brother–sister nephrology and transplant program in LMICsSupport research funding from governmentHealthcare cost-effectiveness for caring for CKDKidney failure, including maintenance dialysis and transplantPromote surveillance programs for kidney diseases and their risk factors
Community kidney health planning	Building up preventive strategies to promote healthy communities and primary healthcare facilities	Community leadershipKidney patient advocacy	Belief in community leaders in LMICs	Education and understanding kidney health promotion of community leadership and people	Improve role model of communityEnhance kidney support networks
Kidney health literacy	Receive knowledge, skills and information to be healthy	People with CKDCare partnersHealthcare providers	Lack of awareness of CKD and risk factorsCare partner burden and burnoutInadequate healthcare workersHigh patient to healthcare worker ratio, especially in rural areas	Inadequate policy directionIneffective healthcare providers’ communication skills	Organizational paradigm shift toward health literacyImproving communication between healthcare providers with patients and care partnersUsing teach-back methods for consumer educationAdapting technologies for appropriate health literacy and sociocultural environmentsFamily engagement in the patient careIncentive for community healthcare providers in rural areas

LMICs, low- to middle-income countries.

Assessing health literacy necessitates the use of appropriate multidimensional patient-reported measures, such as the World Health Organization–recommended Health Literacy Questionnaire (available in >30 languages) rather than tools measuring only functional health literacy (e.g., Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine or Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults) [8]. It is therefore not surprising that studies of low health literacy (LHL) abilities in people with CKD have been demonstrated to be associated with poor CKD knowledge, self-management behaviors and health-related quality of life and in those with greater comorbidity severity [7]. Unfortunately, most CKD studies have measured only functional health literacy, so the evidence that LHL results in poorer outcomes, particularly that it increases healthcare utilization and mortality [9] and reduces access to transplantation [10], is weak.

Recently, health literacy is now considered to be an important bridge between lower socio-economic status and other social determinants of health [4]. Indeed, this is not a feature that can be measured by the gross domestic product of a country, as the effects of LHL on the extent of CKD in the community are experienced globally regardless of country income status. The lack of awareness of risk factors of kidney disease, even in those with high health literacy abilities, is testament to the difficulties in understanding this disease and why the USA, for instance, recommends that a universal precautions approach toward health literacy be undertaken [11].

So what does the perfect health literacy program look like for people with CKD? In several high-income countries, there are national health literacy action plans with the emphasis shifted to policy directives, organizational culture and healthcare providers. In Australia, for instance, a compulsory health literacy accreditation standard makes the healthcare organization responsible for ensuring providers are cognizant of individual health literacy abilities [12]. Although many high-income countries, healthcare organizations, non-governmental organizations and jurisdictions are providing an array of consumer-oriented web-based programs that provide detailed information and self-care training opportunities, most are largely designed for individual/family use and are unlikely to mitigate LHL. There is, however, substantial evidence that interventions improving healthcare provider communication are more likely to improve the understanding of health problems and the ability to adhere to complex treatment regimens [13].

Access to information that is authentic and tailored specifically to the needs of the individual and the community is the aim. The challenge is recognized acutely in more remote and low- to middle-income countries of the world, specifically the importance of culturally appropriate knowledge provision. The principals of improving health literacy are the same, but understanding how to proceed and putting consumers in charge, with a codesign approach, is critical and may result in different outcomes in more remote parts of the world. This principal especially applies to communities that are smaller, with less access to electronic communication and healthcare services, where the level of health literacy is shared across the community and where what affects the individual also affects the community. Decision support systems are different, led by elders, and in turn, educational resources are best aimed at improving the knowledge of the whole community.

A systematic review of the evaluation of interventions and strategies shows this area of research is still at an early stage [14], with no studies unraveling the link between LHL and poor CKD outcomes. The best evidence is in supporting targeted programs on improving communication capabilities of healthcare professionals as central. One prime example is teach-back, a cyclical, simple, low-cost education intervention that shows promise for improving communication, knowledge and self-management in the CKD populations in low- and high-income countries [15]. Furthermore, the consumer-led voice has articulated research priorities that align closely with principals felt to be important to the success of education: building new education resources devised in partnership with consumers and focused on the needs of vulnerable groups. Indeed, programs that address the lack of culturally safe, person-centered and holistic care, along with improving the communication skills of health professionals, are crucial for those with CKD [16].

THE NETWORKED COMMUNITY OF KIDNEY HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Non-physician healthcare workers, including nurses and advanced practice providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) as well as dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, technicians, physical therapists and other allied health professionals, often spend more time with persons with kidney disease compared with nephrologists and other physician specialists. In an ambulatory care setting at an appointment, in the emergency department or in the inpatient setting, these healthcare professionals often see and relate to the patient first, last and in between, given that physician encounters are often short and focused. Hence the non-physician healthcare workers have many opportunities to discuss kidney disease–related topics with the individuals and their care partners and to empower them [17, 18]. For instance, medical assistants can help identify those with or at risk of developing CKD and can initiate educating them and their family members about the role of diet and lifestyle modification for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of CKD while waiting to see the physician [19]. Some healthcare workers provide networking and support for kidney patient advocacy groups and kidney support networks that have been initiated or expanded via social media platforms (Figure 1) [20, 21]. Studies examining the efficacy of social media in kidney care and advocacy are on the way [22, 23].

FIGURE 1:

Schematic representation of consumer and healthcare professionals’ collaborative advocacy using social media platforms with the goal of ‘Kidney Health for All’.

Like physicians, many activities of non-physician healthcare workers have been increasingly affected by the increase in electronic health recording and growing access to internet-based resources, including social media, that offer educational materials related to kidney health, including kidney-preserving therapies with traditional and emerging interventions [24]. These resources can be used for both self-education and for networking and advocacy on kidney disease awareness and learning. Increasingly, more healthcare professionals are engaged in some types of social media–based activities, as shown in Table 2. At the time of this writing, the leading social media used by many—but not all—kidney healthcare workers include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. In some regions of the world, certain social media are more frequently used than others, given unique cultural or access constellations (e.g., WeChat is a platform often used by healthcare workers and patient groups in China). Some healthcare professionals, such as managers and those in leadership and advocacy organization positions, may choose to embark on social media to engage those with CKD and their care partners or other healthcare professionals in alliance building and marketing. To that end, effective communication strategies and outreach skills specific to responsible use of social media can provide clear advantages given that these skills and strategies are different and may need modification in those with LHL. It is imperative to ensure that the needed knowledge and training for an accountable approach to social media is provided to healthcare providers so that these outreach strategies are utilized with the needed awareness of their unique strengths and pitfalls, as follows [25]:

Table 2.

Social media that are more frequently used for kidney education and advocacy

Social media	Strength	Limitations	Additional comments
Facebook	Frequently used social media platform by many kidney patients and patient groups	Widely used for entertaining purposes, which can dilute its professional utility	User-friendly platform for kidney advocacy, enabling wide ranges of outreach goals
Instagram	Photo-predominating platform	Not frequently used by healthcare professionals	Picture friendly, potentially effective for illustrative educational purposes
Twitter	Often used by physician specialists and scientists, including nephrologists	Less frequently used by patients and care partners	Increasing popularity among physician and specialty circles
LinkedIn	More often used by professionals, including in industry	Originally designed for employment and job-seeking networking	Mostly effective to reach out to industry and managerial professionals
YouTube	Video-predominating platform	Less effective with non-video-based formats	Wide ranges of outreach and educational targets
WeChat	Widely used in mainland China	Access is often limited to those living in China or its diaspora	Effective platform to reach out to patients and healthcare professionals in China
Pinterest	Picture-based, often used by dietitians	Currently of limited use by some healthcare workers	Useful for dietary and lifestyle education

Other popular social media at the time of this publication include, but are not limited to, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Tumblr, Telegram, Quora and many others that are currently only occasionally used in kidney advocacy activities. Mobile and social media messaging apps include, but are not limited to, WhatsApp, Zoom, Facebook Messengers, Skype Teams and Slack.

Note that platforms that are more often used as internet-based messaging are not included.

Consumers’ and care partners’ confidentiality may not be breached upon posting anything on social media, including indirect referencing to a specific individual or a particular description of a condition unique to a specific person (e.g., upon soliciting for transplant kidney donors on social media) [26, 27].

Confidential information about clinics, hospitals, dialysis centers or similar healthcare and advocacy entities may not be disclosed on social media without ensuring that the needed processes, including collecting authorizations to disclose, are undertaken.

Healthcare workers’ job security and careers should remain protected with thorough review of the content of the messages and illustrations/videos before online posting.

Careless and disrespectful language and emotional tones are often counterproductive and may not be justified under the context of freedom of speech.

THE GLOBAL KIDNEY COMMUNITY OF POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Policy and advocacy are well-recognized tools that, if properly deployed, can bring about change and a paradigm shift at a jurisdictional level. The essence of advocating for policy change to better address kidney disease is, in itself, an exercise in improving the health literacy of policymakers. Policy development, at its core, is a key stakeholder or stakeholder group (e.g. the kidney community, which believes that a problem exists that should be tackled through governmental action). There is an increasing recognition of the importance of formulating succinct, meaningful and authentic information, akin to improving health literacy, to present to government for action.

Robust and efficacious policy is always underpinned by succinct and applicable information. However, the development and communication of this message, designed to bridge the gap in knowledge of relevant jurisdictions, is only part of the process of policy development. An awareness of the process is important to clinicians who are aiming to advocate for effective change in prevention or improvement of outcomes in the CKD community.

Public policies, the plans for future action accepted by governments, are articulated through a political process in response to stakeholder observation, usually written as a directive, law, regulation, procedure or circular. Policies are purpose fit and targeted to defined goals and specific societal problems and are usually a chain of actions effected to solve those societal problems [28]. Policies are an important output of political systems. Policy development can be formal, passing through rigorous lengthy processes before adoption (such as regulations), or it can be less formal and quickly adopted (such as circulars). As already mentioned, the governmental action envisaged by the key stakeholders as a solution to a problem is at its core. The process enables stakeholders to air their views and bring their concerns to the fore. Authentic information that is meaningful to the government is critical. The policy development process can be stratified into five stages (i.e. the policy cycle), as depicted by Anderson [29] and adapted and modified by other authors [30] (Figure 2). The policy cycle constitutes an expedient framework for evaluating the key components of the process.

FIGURE 2:

Policy cycle involving five stages of policy development. KRT, kidney replacement therapy; LGA, local government area.

Subsequently the policy moves on to the implementation phase. This phase may require subsidiary policy development and adoption of new regulations or budgets (implementation). Policy evaluation is integral to the policy processes and applies evaluation principles and methods to assess the content, implementation or impact of a policy. Evaluation facilitates understanding and appreciation of the worth and merit of a policy, as well as the need for its improvement. More important, of the five principles of advocacy that underline policymaking [31], the most important for clinicians engaged in this space is that of commitment, persistence and patience. Advocacy takes time to yield the desired results.

The Advocacy Planning Framework, developed by Young and Quinn in 2002 [30], consists of overlapping circles representing three sets of concepts (way into the process, the messenger and the message and activities) that are key to planning any advocacy campaign:

‘Way into the process’ discusses the best approaches to translate ideas into the target policy debate and identify the appropriate audience to target.

Messenger talks about the image maker or face of the campaign and other support paraphernalia that are needed.

Message and activities describe what can be said to the key target audiences that is engaging and convincing and how best it can be communicated through appropriate communication tools.

Advocacy is defined as ‘an effort or campaign with a structured and sequenced plan of action which starts, directs, or prevents a specific policy change.’ [31]. The goal is to influence decision-makers through communicating directly with them or getting their commitment through secondary audiences (advisers, the media or the public) to the end that the decision-maker understands, is convinced, takes ownership of the ideas and finally has the compulsion to act [31]. As with improving health literacy, it is the communication of ideas to policymakers for adoption and implementation as policy that is key. There is much to be done in bridging this gap to understand the magnitude of community burden that results from CKD. Without good communication, many good ideas and solutions do not reach communities and countries where they are needed. Again, aligned with the principles of developing resources for health literacy, the approach also needs to be nuanced according to the local need, aiming to have the many good ideas and solutions to be communicated to communities and countries where they are needed.

Advocacy requires galvanizing momentum and support for the proposed policy or recommendation. The process is understandably slow as it involves discussions and negotiations for paradigms, attitudes and positions to shift. In contemplating advocacy activities, multiple factors must be considered; interestingly, not too dissimilar to that of building health literacy resources: What obstructions are disrupting the policymaking process from making progress? What resources are available to enable the process to succeed? Is the policy objective achievable considering all variables? Is the identified problem already being considered by the policymakers (government or multinational organizations)? Is there any interest or momentum generated around it? Understandably, if there is some level of interest and if government already has its spotlight on the issue, it is likely to succeed.

Approaches to choose from include the following [31, 32]:

Advising (researchers are commissioned to produce new evidence-based proposals to assist the organization in decision-making).

Activism involves petitions, public demonstrations, posters, fliers and leaflet dissemination, often used by organizations to promote a certain value set.

Media campaign putting public pressure on decision-makers helps in achieving results.

Lobbying entails face-to-face meetings with decision-makers; often used by business organizations to achieve their purpose.

Here lies the importance of effective and successful advocacy to stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, communities and key change makers in society. WKD, since inception, has aimed at playing this role. WKD has gained people's trust by delivering relevant and accurate messaging and supporting leaders in local engagement, and it is celebrated by kidney care professionals, celebrities and those with the disease and their caregivers all over the world. To achieve the goal, an implementation framework of success in a sustainable way includes creativity, collaboration and communication.

The ongoing challenge for the International Society of Nephrology and International Federation of Kidney Foundations–World Kidney Alliance, through the Joint Steering Committee of WKD, is to operationalize how to collate key insights from research and analysis to effectively feed the policymaking process at the local, national and international levels to inform or guide decision-making (i.e. increasing engagement of governments and organizations like the World Health Organization, United Nations and regional organizations, especially in low-resource settings). There is a clear need for ongoing renewal of strategies to increase efforts at closing the gap in kidney health literacy, empowering those affected with kidney disease and their families, giving them a voice and engaging with the civil society. This year, the Joint Steering Committee of WKD declares ‘Kidney Health for All’ as the theme of the 2022 WKD to emphasize and extend collaborative efforts among people with kidney disease, their care partners, healthcare providers and all involved stakeholders for elevating education and awareness on kidney health and saving lives.

CONCLUSIONS

In bridging the gap of knowledge to improve outcomes for those with kidney disease on a global basis, an in-depth understanding of the needs of the community is required. The same can be said for policy development, understanding the processes in place for engagement of governments worldwide, all underpinned by the important principal of codesign of resources and policy that meets the needs of the community for which it is intended.

For WKD 2022, kidney organizations, including the International Society of Nephrology and International Federation of Kidney Foundations–World Kidney Alliance, have a responsibility to immediately work toward shifting the patient-deficit health literacy narrative to that of being the responsibility of clinicians and health policymakers. LHL occurs in all countries regardless of income status, thus simple, low-cost strategies are likely to be effective. Communication, universal precautions and teach-back can be implemented by all members of the kidney healthcare team. Through this vision, kidney organizations will lead the shift to improved patient-centered care, support for care partners, health outcomes and the global societal burden of kidney healthcare.