Chronic kidney disease (CKD), typically caused by diabetes and hypertension, affects 15% of US adults and continues to increase with the rising prevalence of these conditions. Increased health care utilization and high morbidity/mortality rates are associated with the progression of CKD to kidney failure with comorbid cardiovascular disease, anemia and bone disease. This session will examine the current state of care for CKD, including recent advancements and interventions that can slow CKD progression and preserve kidney function and strategies to optimize care pathways for managing CKD and its common comorbidities.

This activity aims to explore best practices in cancer screening and shed light on the groundbreaking WISDOM Study, which is revolutionizing our approach to screening by testing a personalized precision-medicine method based on individual risk factors for breast cancer in contrast to traditional annual mammograms. Participants will learn how this alternative approach differs from the current “one-size-fits-all” guideline-based method and discuss its potential to significantly improve the effectiveness of screening.

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are commonly utilized for the diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of pulmonary conditions. However, the inclusion of race in the reporting and interpretation of PFT results introduces the potential to contribute to health disparities and amplify race-based health inequities. This activity aims to enhance participants’ comprehension of race-based adjustments in clinical algorithms and increase competency in race-neutral and impartial interpretation of PFTs. The faculty speaker for this webcast, Dr. Nirav Bhakta, served as the co-chair of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) workshop responsible for shaping the 2023 ATS statement on race in PFT interpretation. Drawing upon his extensive expertise as a pulmonologist and his pivotal role in the formulation of these new ATS guidelines, Dr. Bhakta will delve into the historical context behind race-specific PFTs, address the rationale behind the shift and review the pivotal aspects and implications of adopting a race-neutral approach.

This activity will provide an overview of neurodiversity and examine the essential features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as distinct patterns of repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. It will also discuss ASD and developmental screening and explore optimal approaches to care following a diagnosis.