Getting Checked

Why should I get checked?

Kidney Check empowers Indigenous community members to take charge of their health through early detection, monitoring, and prevention of chronic conditions like kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Getting checked helps you:

• Catch kidney issues early – Many people don’t experience symptoms until kidney disease is advanced. Early detection gives you more options to protect your health and delay or prevent serious complications like heart disease, dialysis, or the need for a transplant.

• Access culturally safe care – Kidney Check is designed with and for Indigenous communities. It respects local knowledge, practices, and ceremony while addressing community-specific health challenges.

• Receive personalized health information – Alongside your results, you’ll receive education and support to help you understand your risks and make informed choices around nutrition, lifestyle, and follow-up care.

• Support community wellness – Screenings are delivered in partnership with local health staff and community members. Participating helps strengthen community-based care and builds connections to other health resources.

As Patient Partner Lead Cathy Woods says,

“For me as a First Nations patient partner, the Kidney Check project will change the face of kidney disease in our communities. Early diagnosis and risk mitigation strategies can delay the need for dialysis and end stage renal failure.”

What happens when I get my kidneys checked?

What communities are being visited?

• • British Columbia
  • Alberta
  • Manitoba

How do I receive care if I am not in one of these communities?

If you are not in or near a community participating in Kidney Check, there are other ways for you to get your kidneys checked:

• Visit your family doctor
• Visit a walk-in clinic
• Find a local organization doing kidney health screening

When you get routine blood and urine tests done, your health-care provider can use the results (after they get them back from the lab) to see how your kidneys are doing.

What will I learn about my health?

You will learn if you need care for high blood pressure or diabetes. You will also learn if you have a chance of kidney problems in the future and if we need to make a care plan to help keep your kidneys healthy as long as we can.

If you were tested and received your test results – find more information about those results by clicking on a button below or looking at your kidney health plan information provided during your testing.

What will happen after I get checked?

• After you get checked your nurse will go over your results
• Your primary care provider may be notified about your results if they need to help with your care plan
• The nurse will talk about ways you can help your kidneys such as through diet and activity
• You may be referred to a hospital or or a renal program for another appointment if you have very high blood pressure or some kidney problems needing to be looked at by a kidney doctor
• We will work with you to find the best ways to support you in keeping your kidneys healthy and working as best as they can