Boehringer Ingelheim encourages Filipinos to take care of their health this holiday season

The second leg of the ‘It Starts With U: Get CheCKD’ brings back Check Your Choices Game Room, a life-sized board game designed to educate participants about kidney function and effective ways to maintain kidney health, combining fun with an engaging learning experience.

As the festive season kicks off in the Philippines, Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines), Inc., in partnership with Dialysis Philippines Support Group (Dialysis PH), Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines (KITAP), and Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), welcomed the return of It Starts With U: Get CheCKD on November 30, 2024, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

This awareness event came at a crucial time when holiday festivities often lead to overconsumption of rich foods and alcohol, late nights, and heightened stress. It emphasized the importance of prioritizing health amidst the celebrations. It Starts With U: Get CheCKD raised awareness about chronic kidney disease (CKD) through engaging activity zones, focusing on the significance of early detection and the increased risks posed by hypertension and diabetes.

Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines.^[1] This disease indicates that your kidneys are damaged and not functioning properly. Kidneys filter out waste, toxins, and excess water from your blood. They also play a vital role in maintaining bone health and producing red blood cells. When kidney function begins to decline, they are unable to effectively filter waste, leading to a buildup of these harmful substances in your bloodstream.^[2]

CKD is intricately linked to other health issues, such as hypertension and diabetes. During the holiday season, when dietary indulgences are common, the risk of developing these interconnected conditions increases. High blood pressure can strain the kidneys, while uncontrolled blood sugar from diabetes can damage blood vessels, further elevating the risk of CKD.^{[3], [4]}

It Starts With U: Get CheCKD conducted two educational talks by nephrologists, Dr. Rhodora Valenzona from the Perpetual Help Medical Center Binan, and Dr. Clifton Pe from the University of Sto. Tomas (USTH) and De Los Santos Medical Center. Attended by Dr. Greta Cortez, the head of medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim; Rey Abacan Jr., president and founder of Dialysis PH; Marimel Lamsin, the internal vice president of the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines, Inc.; and Karen Alparce-Villanueva, the president of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations. These talks were designed to get mall goers into the holiday spirit by gifting themselves the knowledge of good health. Directly learning from health experts about chronic kidney disease and its connection to heart, kidney, and metabolic wellness, attendees were empowered to make informed choices for a healthier holiday season and beyond.

“Events like It Starts With U: Get CheCKD are crucial because they bring essential health information directly to the community. This season of giving, we hope to gift people the awareness and resources they need, as early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) can make all the difference—especially with its strong links to heart disease and diabetes. By empowering people with knowledge and access to consultation and screening, we’re helping them take that first step toward the gift of better health,” says Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines.

This edition of It Starts With U: Get CheCKD featured new booths focused on heart health and type 2 diabetes. A booth was set up where Boehringer Ingelheim featured their educational website to empower individuals with information about chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related health conditions. It offers valuable insights on prevention, risk factors, and complications, encouraging patients to take proactive steps toward better health and seek professional care when needed. All the activities highlighted the importance of adopting healthy habits to prevent CKD.

The Health CheCKD Zone remains steadfast with offering guests the opportunity to have one-on-one consultations with doctors. The doctors checked their vitals, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Those who were determined to be at risk for CKD had the chance to avail the free two-step screening process for kidney health.

Check Your Choices, a life-sized board game, continues to capture attention as a fun, interactive way to learn about kidney health and care.

Check your kidney health

There is a simple 2-step screening process to check kidney health. First is the creatine test, a blood test that is able to measure the waste product of the body and from that the estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate can be computed. The second is the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) test that uses a urine sample to measure albumin, or protein level present in your urine.^[5]

With the season of giving and togetherness upon us, there’s no better gift than good health. This holiday season, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of wellness by monitoring kidney health, heart health, and blood sugar levels to keep your body in optimal shape. Make regular visits to your doctor a part of your holiday checklist—it’s a meaningful way to celebrate this Christmas and beyond.

For more information, please visit ItStartsWithYou.com.ph

[1] Department of Health. Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Control. https://doh.gov.ph/health-programs/chronic-kidney-disease-prevention-and-control/policies. Accessed October 23, 2024.

[2] Cleaveland Clinic. Chronic Kidney Disease. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15096-chronic-kidney-disease. Accessed October 25, 2024.

[3] Healthline. Why Congestive Heart Failure and Kidney Disease Often Occur Together. https://www.healthline.com/health/kidney-health/chf-and-kidney-failure. Accessed Oct 23, 2024

[4] American Kidney Fund. Heart disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD). https://www.kidneyfund.org/all-about-kidneys/risk-factors/heart-disease-and-chronic-kidney-disease-ckd. Accessed Oct 23, 2024

[5] National Health Service. Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/diagnosis/. Accessed Mar 7, 2024