Black Americans, Diabetes, and Kidney Disease: What Our Community Needs to Know

Black Americans living with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition where the kidneys become damaged and can no longer filter blood properly. They are not only more likely to have kidney failure than white Americans, but also nearly twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the first place, which compounds that risk.

How Diabetes Damages the Kidneys

When blood sugar stays high over time, it damages blood vessels and tiny filters in the kidneys called nephrons, making it harder for the kidneys to clear waste from the body. This damage can happen with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and it often progresses quietly for years before any symptoms show up.

That “silent” progression is one reason routine lab work matters so much. Doctors use blood tests to check creatinine and electrolytes like potassium and phosphorus, and urine tests to look for protein (albumin) or abnormal red blood cells—early signs that the kidneys are under stress even when a person feels fine.

Why Black Communities Face Higher Risk

For our community, diabetes is only one piece of a larger picture. Other medical and lifestyle factors that increase CKD risk include family history, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, smoking, and certain medications. On top of that, social and structural issues—like access to healthcare, insurance status, work schedules, and food environments—shape who gets screened, treated, and heard in the exam room.

Genetics can also play a role: a gene called APOL1, more common in Black populations, is linked to higher CKD risk, with one study showing about 18 percent higher odds of chronic kidney disease in people who carry certain variants. But genes don’t act alone; historic and ongoing systemic racism affects where Black communities live, the quality of the air and water, and the availability of fresh food versus sugary drinks and processed meals—all of which influence diabetes, blood pressure, and kidney healthh.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Because CKD often stays “silent” until it’s more advanced, many people only learn they have kidney disease after routine labs. Still, there are symptoms to watch for, especially if you live with diabetes:

• Urinating more often than usual.

• Fatigue or low energy.

• Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles.

• Dry or itchy skin.​

• Changes in blood pressure or heart issues.

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, or nausea.

If you have type 2 diabetes and notice any of these, it’s important to talk with your doctor and specifically ask, “How are my kidneys doing?”

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Kidneys

At Kidney Konnect, we believe prevention and early action are powerful tools—especially in Black communities facing higher risk. Here are key steps highlighted by kidney and diabetes experts that we encourage our community to put into practice:

• Get your annual physical and repeat labs over time. One set of labs is a snapshot; tracking results year to year helps catch kidney problems earlier and shows whether numbers are getting better or worse.

• Move your body regularly. The American Diabetes Association recommends about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week for people with diabetes, which supports blood sugar control, heart health, and kidney protection.

• Rethink what’s on your plate. Limit processed foods—especially those high in sodium and phosphorus, like lunch meats, hot dogs, and many frozen meals—because they can be harder on the kidneys.

• Choose water first. Many Black neighborhoods have less access to clean, appealing drinking water and more exposure to sugary drinks; consciously choosing water over sugar-sweetened beverages can reduce empty calories and strain on the kidneys.

• Be open about medications and supplements. Common pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and raise the risk of CKD in some people, so it is important to use the lowest effective dose and let your doctor know everything you’re taking.

These steps are not about perfection; they are about small, consistent changes that protect your kidneys over time.

Building Trust and Advocacy in Healthcare

The article also underscores something we see every day: trust is a huge factor in kidney health. Historic mistreatment and ongoing bias in healthcare shape how many Black Americans feel when they step into a clinic, how often they go, and how openly they share their concerns. When patients don’t feel seen or heard, they may delay care, skip appointments, or miss out on early testing that could slow or prevent kidney damage.

At Kidney Konnect, we are committed to:

• Helping Black patients understand their personal risk for CKD when they have diabetes.

• Equipping families with questions to ask about labs, urine tests, blood pressure goals, and kidney-safe medications.

• Creating safe spaces—online and in person—where people can talk honestly about fear, mistrust, and past experiences with the healthcare system.

We want our community members to feel empowered to say to their providers, “I’m at higher risk. I need you to check my kidneys regularly and explain my results.”

If you are a Black American living with type 2 diabetes—or caring for someone who is—Kidney Konnect is here to support you with education, advocacy, and resources so you don’t walk this journey alone.