March is Kidney Awareness Month, and you can celebrate by keeping kidneys at the forefront of your medical decisions, and in your classroom or lab. Here are a few ways to observe Kidney Awareness Month:

Learn more about kidney disease
Kidney disease is complex and can be the result of a variety of chronic conditions such as diabetes or even high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.9 million adults currently live with kidney disease, and it is the ninth leading cause of death for adults. You can also visit WorldKidneyDay.org to discover information as well as how to get involved with the movement.

Join a Twitter conversation
Use social media for yourself, or in your classroom, to join in a conversation with The National Kidney Foundation’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Vassalotti. You can log in on Thursday, March 14, which is National Kidney Day to ask questions on Twitter and learn from others who serve people living with kidney disease. Dr. Vassalotti will be on Twitter from 12pm-2pm EST. Use the hashtag #WorldKidneyDayNKF and ask questions on the NKF page.

Commit to Prevention
The more you know about kidney disease, the more you understand the importance of prevention. Check for a local kidney screening in your area, or offer to volunteer at one. Since March is Kidney Awareness Month, kidney screenings are easier to find throughout urban and rural areas.

Beyond getting a screening, review your lifestyle choices and how they could be improved. Drink more water, exercise regularly, and limit unhealthy food choices as much as possible.

If you are a clinician or teacher, you have an important role in passing on reliable information to students. This month, consider giving a bit of awareness to your students about kidney disease as well as ways to increase kidney health.