Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a national public health issue that has been well recognized as an important cause of premature morbidity and mortality.1-3 The prevalence of CKD in the United States increased from 10% in 1988-1994 to 13% in 1999-2004; even so, the general public’s awareness of kidney disease continues to be very low.1 By 2030, the burden of kidney disease is expected to increase further and it has been estimated that approximately 2 million individuals will then require dialysis.