DPC Launches Kidney Disease Training Curriculum for Community Health Workers

Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), the largest US nonprofit advocacy organization for dialysis patients and their families, announced the launch of a kidney disease training curriculum for community health workers (CHWs), the first of its kind in the country. The training aims to help CHWs educate their communities about kidney disease and help people at risk of kidney failure learn how to manage their health and slow kidney disease progression.

DPC led a 14-person task force from the Illinois Kidney Care Alliance that developed model job descriptions for CHWs, training objectives, and a curriculum outline. The Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, University of Illinois Aging and Diversity Laboratory, National Kidney Foundation, Baxter Black K.A.R.E., and the HAP Foundation contributed to curriculum development.

The curriculum includes the following online modules:

• Your Kidney and You
• Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness
• Self-Care for Kidney Health
• Disparities and Kidney Disease
• Diagnosis and Treatment
• Coping With Diagnosis, Trauma, and Grief

The first training cohort will be open from July 22 to August 16, 2024. The course also requires a 2-hour, in-person training session, which will take place on August 21 at the IPHA Community Health Worker Summit in Springfield, Illinois.