Originally published: 2024-04-19T18:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a condition where kidney damage occurs slowly over many years, is the quickest-growing noncontagious disease in the U.S.
CKD rates are higher among Veterans than the general population. The percentage of Veterans with kidney disease is about 34% higher than the general population and cases often go unnoticed as the disease can have no symptoms.
VA provides care to an estimated 600,000 Veterans with CKD, and it offers lifestyle and nutrition programs to help slow the disease and prevent complications. The result of uncontrolled CKD is the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Inspired by VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program and Healthy Teaching Kitchens, Rebecca Schlueter, registered dietitian, along with a team of other dietitians, started Healthier Kidneys Through Your Kitchen (HKTYK). HKTYK is a prevention-based practice designed to provide Veterans with the knowledge and skills to take control of their kidney health.
“I’ve always had a passion for prevention-based care. If we can get on the front end and inform and inspire others, it helps them take charge of their health and life,” said Schlueter.
Bridging the knowledge gap
Offering access to VA dietitians in a virtual or in-person setting, HKTYK offers a specific type of medical nutrition therapy for kidney disease that encourages Veterans to manage their blood sugar and blood pressure to slow the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.
Veterans learn about healthy cooking methods, recipes, ways to incorporate movement in their days and how to advocate for themselves at appointments to ensure they fully understand their health. Veterans are encouraged to meet with a dietitian to review individual lab results and partner in goal setting using behavior change therapy.
“It is wonderful to see the Healthier Kidneys Through Your Kitchen Program reaching this special population of Veterans who could benefit from learning nutrition and food preparation skills specifically for their renal health and overall well-being,” said Dr. Anne Utech, national director for VA Nutrition and Food Services.
Harnessing the impact of nutrition
HKTYK has helped over 1,000 Veterans with CKD regain control of their health. Post class evaluations have shown improvements in Veteran knowledge of CKD. Since the creation of HKTYK, Lexington VA has seen a 28% increase in the number of Veterans who receive nutrition intervention from a registered dietitian.
“The quantity and quality of the resources was extraordinary. I really liked that we were given the opportunity to participate and interact,” said one Veteran from the Caribbean VA who participated in the program.
According to the class evaluation survey, 98% of participating Veterans would recommend the program to others with or at risk of kidney disease. This feedback gave the HKTYK team the confidence to spread their practice to more VA facilities.
With support from VHA Innovators Network in 2017 and Diffusion of Excellence as a 2019 VHA Shark Tank Competition winner, HKTYK is available at 21 VA facilities with another 12 VA facilities coming soon.
Dietitians are available at all sites for medical nutrition therapy sessions on a variety of conditions—including CKD. No formal referral or consult is required. Veterans can meet with dietitians in-person or virtually.
Learn more
If you are a Veteran interested in HKTYK, talk to your VA primary care provider or registered dietitian, and explore VA’s eKidney website. To learn more about HKTYK’s innovation journey, view the Diffusion Marketplace page.
Want to learn more about innovation at VA? Visit our website, Diffusion Marketplace, subscribe to our weekly newsletter and explore VA Pathfinder to learn more about our opportunities.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.
