About the Kidney Health Code
PreventCKD was a two-year Horizon Europe project carried out together with our consortium partners — EKPF, EUTOX, IMEC, ISN, RENALOO, ISS Fundación UAM and EKHA — with funding from the EU4Health Programme (EU4H).
The project focused on preventive interventions to tackle Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), through awareness raising, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. All activities were designed to be practical and impactful, not only at national level but also locally, where prevention can make a direct difference.
One of the key outcomes of PreventCKD is the Kidney Health Code. This Code structures essential information on kidney health so that:
Healthcare professionals can better inform people at risk of CKD and those who can play a supportive role (e.g. caregivers, organ donors).
- Individuals at risk can access clear and reliable resources to understand their condition and what actions they can take.
- Stakeholders can recognise the urgency of this silent yet high-burden disease and respond accordingly.
Why It Matters
Anyone can develop CKD, at any age. While some groups face a higher risk, CKD usually results from a mix of physical, environmental, and social factors rather than a single cause.
Because CKD often begins without visible symptoms, early detection is crucial. Knowing the risk factors helps individuals understand their personal risk and take action to get checked if needed.
The Kidney Health Code provides accessible information and practical resources, but only a doctor can provide a medical diagnosis.
Inspired by Best Practice
The Kidney Health Code was inspired by the European Code Against Cancer, which for 50 years has provided people with clear, evidence-based advice on how to reduce cancer risk. Like the Cancer Code, the Kidney Health Code is:
- Compact and easy to translate, ensuring accessibility across countries.
- Linked to scientific evidence, offering reliable and trustworthy guidance.
Both codes address diseases strongly linked to lifestyle and characterised by late diagnosis and burdensome treatments. But while cancer can often be cured, kidney failure cannot. Raising awareness and promoting prevention is therefore even more vital.