Veterans Urged to Prioritize Kidney Disease Screening
Early detection of kidney disease can save Veteran lives. Here’s how VA is helping.
Veterans: Make kidney disease screening a priority
Kidney disease is one of the most common yet underdiagnosed health conditions affecting Veterans across the United States. With millions of Americans living with chronic kidney disease and many unaware of their condition, the Department of Veterans Affairs is urging former service members to make screening a top priority. Early detection is critical because kidney disease often progresses silently, showing few symptoms until it reaches advanced stages. By the time many patients realize something is wrong, significant and irreversible damage may have already occurred.
The VA has identified several risk factors that make Veterans particularly vulnerable to kidney disease, including high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and exposure to environmental hazards during military service. These conditions, which are prevalent among the Veteran population, can quietly damage the kidneys over time. According to VA health officials, regular screening through simple blood and urine tests can identify kidney problems early, allowing medical teams to intervene before the disease progresses to kidney failure or requires dialysis and transplantation.
To address this growing concern, the VA has expanded its kidney disease screening and prevention programs at medical centers and clinics nationwide. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can access routine kidney function tests as part of their regular checkups, and those identified as high risk receive more frequent monitoring and personalized care plans. The VA has also invested in telehealth options, making it easier for Veterans in rural or underserved areas to connect with nephrologists and other specialists without traveling long distances.
Health experts at the VA emphasize that early detection combined with lifestyle changes and proper medical management can significantly slow the progression of kidney disease and improve long-term outcomes. Veterans are encouraged to speak with their VA primary care providers about their kidney health, especially if they have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney problems. By taking a proactive approach to screening, Veterans can protect their health and take advantage of the comprehensive resources the VA has made available to support them every step of the way.