Summary:
Kidney disease affects a significant portion of the adult population in the United States, with 1 in 7 adults suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, about 40% of people with CKD are unaware of their diagnosis, making it important to raise awareness of the disease and behaviors to prevent it. To address this need, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) launched the KidneyED Youth Innovation Challenge to improve awareness of kidney disease and prevention behaviors for adolescents and young adults.
Kidney disease can result from a number of causes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, toxic insults, and genetic factors. Kidney disease is associated with a reduction of the body’s ability to filter blood, causing waste and fluid to be retained by the body. Many individuals approaching end-stage kidney disease need dialysis or transplantation for survival, and even if the disease is well managed, it can still result in premature death or severe disability.
It should be emphasized that kidney disease does not affect all communities equally. For example, racial and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable. Our vision here at HHS is that all people, including underserved populations, have optimal opportunities for healthy and thriving lives with the support of HHS policies and approaches that are structurally designed and implemented to reach, facilitate, and advance health and well-being for all.
Inspired by experiences of people living with kidney disease, their caregivers and families, the KidneyED Youth Innovation Challenge was created to encourage new ideas in the fight against kidney disease, with the younger generation in mind. This challenge allows for a peer-to-peer learning style to enable young innovators to not only learn more about kidney disease but showcase their ability to be innovative in educating others about kidney disease through engagement and creative solutions. Through these efforts, vulnerable populations can become more aware of the disease.
The KidneyED Youth Innovation Challenge has a total cash prize pool of up to $250,000 to award submissions that raise awareness of kidney disease and promote prevention for adolescents and young adults, while prioritizing benefiting communities that face barriers to equity. HHS may award up to ten winners, who will receive an equal share of the total cash prize pool.
Participants have the opportunity to apply with one of the following submission types:
- Designing a kidney disease prevention and awareness campaign;
- Creation of kidney disease and prevention digital tools and technical products; or
- Development of K-12 curricula and learning modules.
By incorporating interactive teaching solutions with methods such as social media campaigns, redesigned curricula, and innovative technical products, educators can effectively convey the importance of kidney health, risk factors, co-morbidities, and preventive measures. Through these innovative and creative teaching strategies, we can empower the next generation to prioritize their well-being and become advocates for kidney health.
Young adults (18 years of age or older) are encouraged to enter this challenge. Participants in the challenge should have: lived experience with kidney disease; knowledge of kidney disease; or possess a strong desire to acquire knowledge about the disease. This challenge is seeking participants who are highly motivated to leverage their experience or knowledge to educate and empower others about kidney disease prevention.
Young innovators: are you prepared to learn and address the challenge of kidney disease education?
You can find the official rules, judging criteria and other details regarding the KidneyED Youth Innovation Challenge on Challenge.gov. Submissions must be entered by December 16, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST.
