The National Kidney Foundation Awards Dr. Janet Diaz Martinez the NFK Health Equity Community Engagement Award

Janet Diaz-Martinez, PhD, RD, LDN, FIU-RCMI postdoctoral associate, was selected by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) for the 2023 NFK Health Equity Community Engagement Award, for her exceptional dedication to addressing kidney health disparities and promoting equitable care. 

Kidney diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States, with approximately 37 million US adults estimated to have a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and most are undiagnosed. This persists as a pressing public health concern, with approximately 80 million adults in the U.S. (equivalent to 1 in 3) presently facing the risk of kidney disease

NFK Health Equity Community Engagement Award recipients receive a $75,000 grant for one year of research. Selection is based upon careful, peer-reviewed independent committees that focus on projects with the support of high-quality, clinical investigation to prevent, reduce, and eliminate kidney health disparities and advance health equity in local communities or populations at risk for and overburdened with kidney disease. 

Dr. Diaz-Martinez’s project, Caridad AwaReness and Education (CARE): a community engagement initiative to address gaps in education among Latine adults with or at risk for kidney disease, will continue her research to address education gaps among Latine adults who are disproportionately affected by kidney disease. This work will build a strong foundation for culturally and linguistically tailored kidney disease education materials, self-management, and screening within this community.