American Kidney Fund Notes Death From Kidney Disease Of Singer/Songwriter Barry White

7/10/2003

From: Sandra Palmer of the American Kidney Fund, 301-984-6657

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 10 -- The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is taking special note of the death of singer/songwriter Barry White. White died of kidney failure on July 4, at the age of 58. The musician had a history of hypertension (high blood pressure) and had suffered a stroke late last year. He was on kidney dialysis treatment for end stage renal disease (ESRD), more commonly known as kidney failure, at the time of his death.

Paul W. Crawford, M.D., chairman of AKF's Minority Intervention and Kidney Education (MIKE) program committee stated, "The truly tragic aspect of Barry White's death, is that kidney failure can be prevented. Kidney disease is where hypertension and diabetes intersect -- they are the leading causes. African Americans account for 12 percent of the U.S. population, but are more than 30 percent of those who develop kidney failure. What is true in the prevention of heart disease is true in the prevention of kidney disease; eat a low fat diet, get regular exercise, and don't smoke. If you have hypertension, follow your doctor's advice to control it, and if you have diabetes, control your blood sugar. Slowing the progression of the disease is key, so that the patient can avoid ESRD."

About 20 million Americans have kidney disease, and an additional 20 million have it, but are unaware of it. Nearly 400,000 Americans have end stage renal disease and there is no cure. The only treatments are kidney dialysis and kidney transplantation.

"Barry White's music touched millions of people. The loss of such a talent -- to a largely preventable disease -- is profoundly sad," Dr. Crawford concluded.

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The American Kidney Fund is our nation's leading voluntary health organization serving people with and at risk for kidney disease through direct financial assistance, comprehensive education, clinical research and community service programs.