Prevention of Kidney Disease in Minority Groups
and Emerging Nations – Focus on the Americas
An
ISN-Comgan Conference
November 17-20, 2003, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Welcome
On behalf of the organizing committee, it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in the ISN-COMGAN meeting on Prevention of Kidney Diseases in Minority Groups and Emerging Nations- Focus on the Americas, that will take place in the beautiful port city of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
The meeting follows the ASN Renal Week in San Diego,
and we will be arranging transportation for delegates from San Diego to
Ensenada immediately after the close of the ASN Annual Scientific meeting.
Kidney disease is now a major health problem worldwide, with more than one million people on renal replacement therapy, and the numbers keep growing. It is worrisome that about 90% of these patients come from developed nations, signaling the limited access to dialysis in the emerging world, mostly for want of financial support. The costs of these treatments are high and they are taking their toll on the health budgets of these nations.
It is highly unlikely that in the near future we will have enough resources to finance universal access to dialysis, especially in the developing nations. Therefore, we believe that in the treatment of kidney disease the emphasis should shift to more effective and less expensive therapies. This will only be possible through preventive approaches.
Diabetes Mellitus, for instance, is the leading cause of renal disease worldwide. It has been shown that exercise, a diet low in calories, and maintaining an ideal weight prevents the ravages of this disease. It has also been demonstrated that prevention of progression of renal disease is now feasible. The reduction of high blood pressure and proteinuria with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or receptor antagonism, along with non-pharmacological measures such as exercise and smoking cessation, offer protection against renal disease.
The topics of the conference deal with the epidemiology, pathophysiology, early detection and prevention, as well as treatment and outcomes of kidney disease in minority and disadvantaged populations. We have invited a select group of experts to address these issues. Free communications will be displayed as posters during the entire meeting and the best ones will be awarded prizes. At the end of the conference we will meet together to discuss strategies for overcoming renal disease programs in these populations.
This promises to be an exciting and productive meeting. Ensenada is located just a one-and-a-half hour drive south of San Diego, California, through a scenic road by the Pacific Coast. It is Mexico?s wine region and
the seafood is rated among the finest in Baja California.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Guillermo Garcia-Garcia, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Chair Organizing Committee
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