American Kidney Fund Hosts Virtual Conference on Kidney Care…

Event summary

American Kidney Fund (AKF) hosted a three-day virtual conference, Kidney Action Week: Future of Kidney Care, from September 8–10, 2026.
The event featured sessions on emerging research, treatment advances, and innovations in kidney care, with participation from nephrologists, patient advocates, researchers, and transplant specialists.
Topics included clinical trials, dialysis advancements, AI in kidney care, and patient management strategies.
AKF highlighted the accelerated pace of kidney research and innovation, aiming to educate patients, professionals, and caregivers.
The event was sponsored by U.S. Renal Care.

The big picture

The American Kidney Fund's virtual conference underscores the growing emphasis on innovation in kidney care, reflecting broader trends in healthcare toward personalized and technology-driven treatments. With approximately 1 in 7 American adults affected by kidney disease, the event highlights the critical need for advancements in early detection, disease management, and patient support. The involvement of industry partners like U.S. Renal Care signals a collaborative approach to addressing this significant health challenge.

What we're watching

Innovation Pace: The pace at which kidney care innovations are being developed and adopted will determine how quickly patient outcomes improve.
Patient Engagement: How effectively AKF can engage patients and caregivers in understanding and utilizing new treatments will impact the success of these innovations.
Clinical Trial Participation: Whether increased awareness and education about clinical trials will lead to higher patient participation and faster validation of new treatments.