Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 US adults, and 1 in 3 are at risk for developing CKD. The leading causes of kidney disease – diabetes and hypertension – disproportionately affect communities of color. RDN-provided nutrition management remains among the most important interventions for both prevention and management of chronic disease, including slowing CKD progression. The majority of adults with CKD never receive medical nutrition therapy. Common barriers to accessing nutrition care include inconsistent screening and referral; lack of RDNs with nephrology nutrition expertise; lack of RDNs with language and cultural skills to effectively support non-white communities; uncertainty of insurance coverage; and variances in patient readiness to make health-related behavior change, resulting in delay of care until very late stages of CKD. In alignment with the recent statement from the Academy President’s Strategic Advisory Group focused on Nutrition Care and Health Systems, a group establishing a goal to increase access to equitable, high-quality, consistent nutrition care, speakers will discuss opportunities for expanding access to MNT for people with CKD. They will share their experiences fostering collaborative partnerships that increased value of care and promoted health equity and discuss how they have successfully utilized payment streams to support nutrition care.

Planned with the Renal Dietetic Practice Group and the Nutrition Services Payment Committee