The medical industry says kidney disease is emerging as a major public health issue. Reports also show it also affects minorities, the poor and those in rural areas more than others.

With obesity and diabetes escalating to epidemic porportions, people’s kidneys are failing. One group says one in nine Missourians will suffer from kidney disease.

Specialists call it the silent disease, since people aren’t aware their kidneys are in trouble until they’re on the verge of absolute failure. Doctor Ziyad Al Aly is the Chairman of’ the Medical Advisory Board for the National Kidney Foundation in St. Louis. He says it’s affecting people in rural areas more … which stems back to the original causes of increased kidney disease: sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diabetes.

He and other medical experts are meeting this week in St. Louis to discuss the impact of these trends on the public health and increase public awareness.

He says bad kidneys don’t make people feel sick until they’re failing, which is why it’s a silent killer.

He says the rate of kidney disease has more than doubled over the past two decades.

The meeting will discuss:

· Details on the jump in the prevalence of kidney disease

· Regional medical experts, kidney transplant patients and volunteers supporting the St. Louis Kidney Walk

· Speakers will discuss the impact of these trends on the public health and offer information on tools at the community’s disposal, such as self-assessment and the 2010 Kidney Walk, to fight life-threatening disease

Those attending include:

· Dr. Ziyad Al Aly – Nephrologist and Chairman of’ the Medical Advisory Board for the National Kidney Foundation Serving Eastern Missouri & Metro East.

· Aeneas Williams – Football Rams great and honorary chair of the St. Louis Kidney Walk.

· Transplant Recipient & Kidney Walk Participant Jim Shoffstall of Belleville.

· Dialysis Patient Awaiting Kidney Transplant Emily McFarland of South St. Louis County.

· St. Louis-area businessman and co-chair of the St. Louis Kidney Walk George Gipson of West St. Louis County.