Keiro will present a free health seminar focused on issues related to chronic kidney disease at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena.
Speakers including health professionals will provide an overview of chronic kidney disease and discuss options to manage the condition along with ways to prevent it. More than 20 million adults age 20 or older in the U.S. have kidney disease and most don’t know it.
Keiro will present a free health seminar focused on issues related to chronic kidney disease at the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at 1964 W. 162nd St., Gardena.
Speakers including health professionals will provide an overview of chronic kidney disease and discuss options to manage the condition along with ways to prevent it. More than 20 million adults age 20 or older in the U.S. have kidney disease and most don’t know it.
Given the impact of chronic kidney disease among Japanese Americans, Keiro is targeting the Japanese American community with this informational seminar. A recent California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011-2012 conducted by UCLA Center for Health Policy Research indicates a prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and heart disease in Japanese American adults in California at levels or above levels for the state overall. Two of those conditions, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease.
Motivated by her own health experiences, community volunteer Iku Kiriyama reached out to Keiro for assistance in organizing a program to benefit others in the community who are similarly seeking information and resources to improve their health.
“I began doing forums in 2006 after my husband died, mostly with professionals in the field, to share my negative experiences as a way to turn them into positives for those who attend,” Kiriyama said. “After I found out last April that I will eventually have to go on dialysis, I was taken by surprise as I was not told this was what chronic kidney disease could lead to, and I asked Dianne Belli, CAO of Keiro, to help me put a program together."
Featured speakers for the seminar include Dean A. Kujubu, MD, Staff Nephrologist and Nephrology Fellowship Program Director of Kaiser Permanente, and Mika Sugano-Isa, MS, RD, Renal Dietitian of Kaiser Permanente, who will present information on kidney disease prevention, proper diet, and ways to prevent other chronic conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure. Community volunteer Iku Kiriyama will also share her experiences and the importance of preventative care.
For over a decade, Keiro has been presenting a variety of health-related programs in the community including Vitality Forums, wellness promotion/health education programs, seminars, and workshops, supporting healthy lifestyles and vitality across the lifespan, and Lifelong Learning Courses, targeted research-based education to empower older adults to age in the place of their choice with better health, more independence and a higher quality of life.
Commenting on Keiro’s growing role with health programming in the community, Keiro chief administrative officer, Dianne Kujubu Belli, MPH, FACHE stated, “Keiro is committed to enhancing wellness for older adults in our community building on our legacy of care and support for seniors and their families. Working in collaboration with groups, temples, churches, and organizations like GVJCI, Keiro is expanding this support beyond the walls of our facilities to positively impact the well-being of our community.”
Individuals concerned about diabetes and high blood pressure, two leading causes of kidney disease, or caregiving for a loved one with these conditions are encouraged to attend. This seminar will be hosted by the Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, and will take place in the Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall.
This program is made possible through support by Kaiser Permanente and Keiro Endowment Fund. The seminar is free and reservations are required. For additional information and to RSVP, contact Mei Kameda at 213-873-5710 or mkameda@keiro.org.
About Keiro
Keiro is a not-for-profit organization that supports aging through programs that meet community needs. Continuing its mission to enhance the quality of senior life in our community, Keiro’s programs help people age with confidence and live healthy and fulfilling lives. More information about Keiro is available at www.keiro.org.
About Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute
The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI) is a community center housing numerous programs serving the generational needs of the Japanese American community in the South Bay, and the broader community. More information about GVJCI is available at http://jci-gardena.org/
