The Bermuda Diabetes Association (BDA) marked a successful three-day chronic kidney disease (CKD) screening initiative, providing members of the community with free access to early detection and health education.
The initiative reinforces the importance of regular screening, particularly in Bermuda, where more than 13% of residents are living with diabetes and approximately one in three adults has high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the leading risk factors for kidney disease, alongside obesity and a family history of kidney disease.
CKD can develop with few or no noticeable symptoms, making early detection particularly important. Identifying changes in kidney health at an earlier stage gives individuals an opportunity to take action to slow or prevent the progression of the disease before it reaches more advanced stages, when dialysis or other intensive treatment may be required.
Minister of Health Kim Wilson, JP, MP, participated in the screening. Having been the very first person in Bermuda to undergo the screening in 2023, Minister Wilson returned this year and became the 400th person screened in Bermuda using Carna Health’s point-of-care technology.
Minister Wilson said: “Kidney health continues to be a significant challenge in Bermuda. Opportunities for free screening are important to early detection, which helps people prevent or slow the progression of the disease and avoid late-stage CKD when dialysis is required. Early detection of chronic diseases supports the Bermuda Health Strategy 2022–2027 to deploy technology, along with community partners, to improve health outcomes.” Lori Rockhead, Executive Director of the Bermuda Diabetes Association, welcomed Minister Wilson’s participation and emphasised the importance of prevention and early intervention.
“Catching CKD early gives individuals the opportunity to take the steps necessary to prevent or delay the progression of the disease,” said Ms. Rockhead. “Managing blood sugar and high blood pressure are essential to reducing risk. The Bermuda Diabetes Association offers a number of free health screenings to make it easier for people to understand key health indicators and take action – not only to prevent diabetes, but also to reduce the risk of serious complications such as vision loss, kidney disease and amputation.”
The screening initiative was conducted in partnership with Carna Health, using its digital platform and point-of-care technology to support the screening process. This year,
HbA1c testing was also incorporated into the screening, providing participants with additional insight into their blood sugar management alongside their kidney health assessment.
Dr. Salvatore Viscomi, CEO of Carna Health, said: “Our continued partnership with the Bermuda Diabetes Association demonstrates the value of combining innovative technology with accessible, community-based healthcare. By bringing a digital health platform with integrated point-of-care testing directly into the community, we can help identify people who may be at risk of chronic kidney disease earlier, when there is a greater opportunity to intervene and slow or prevent its progression.
“The addition of HbA1c testing this year provided further insight into participants’ health and important risk factors for kidney disease. Ultimately, the aim is not simply to screen, but to provide individuals and their healthcare providers with meaningful information that can support earlier intervention and better long-term health outcomes.”
For the BDA, one of the most encouraging outcomes of the initiative was seeing participants return for screening after attending one or two years earlier, with improvements in their kidney function.
“In each case, people had improved their kidney function by becoming more aware of how to maintain healthy kidneys,” said Ms. Rockhead. “When asked what they had done differently, participants described lifestyle changes such as reducing their salt intake, improving their diabetes management and increasing their physical activity.
“This is precisely what we wanted to accomplish. By educating people about the risk factors and helping them become more aware of their kidney health, participants were empowered to make practical changes that are having a positive impact on their health.”
Screening results reinforce the need for prevention:
A total of 31 people were screened during the initiative, with 32% identified as being at moderate to high risk of kidney disease. The most common risk factors identified were diabetes and high blood pressure, followed by obesity and a family history of kidney disease.
The findings reinforce the importance of accessible, community-based screening and health education, particularly as CKD can progress without noticeable symptoms. Identifying people who may be at risk provides an opportunity for further assessment, appropriate follow-up and changes that can help protect their kidney health.
As part of its mission to prevent diabetes and support people living with diabetes, the Bermuda Diabetes Association continues to provide free health screenings and educational opportunities designed to promote prevention, early intervention and a healthier community.
The Association encourages residents to understand their risk factors, monitor key health indicators including blood sugar and blood pressure, adopt healthy lifestyle habits and speak with their healthcare providers about appropriate screening.
Ms. Rockhead concluded: “Early detection makes a difference. Knowing your numbers today can help protect your health for tomorrow.”
