Higher Prevalence of Kidney Disease Among Minorities

The main causes of kidney disease in the U.S. are diabetes and high
blood pressure, and both of these conditions are more common among
minorities.

Some facts:

--
African Americans are nearly four times more likely than Caucasians to
develop kidney failure.

--
Hispanic Americans are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as
non-Hispanics of the same age.*

Studies show that early detection and treatment can halt or slow the
progression of kidney disease. During National Kidney Month in March,
Fresenius Medical Care North America recommends that people in these
at-risk groups get regular screenings for high blood pressure and
diabetes and make changes to diet and exercise to help prevent kidney
disease.

"Minorities, in particular, need to be more proactive about controlling
diabetes and high blood pressure, which lead to kidney disease," said J.
Michael Lazarus, MD, chief medical officer and senior executive vice
president for Fresenius Medical Care. "Early detection allows more time
for interventions that can slow its progress. Unfortunately, patients
may have no symptoms of kidney disease while irreversible changes are
occurring. My emphasis in cases of early referrals is always prevention."

There are other conditions that increase the chance of developing kidney
disease, and these include hereditary or genetic factors, cardiovascular
disease, and being over 60 years old.

Individuals with kidney failure have different options for receiving
dialysis treatments, including home therapies that can allow for a more
flexible lifestyle. Fresenius Medical Care has more than 1,700 dialysis
clinics nationwide, and in addition to in-center hemodialysis services,
offers home dialysis and in-center night-time dialysis at many
facilities. Other dialysis patient services include a kidney transplant
support program, anemia management, nutrition counseling, bone disease
management and social worker support.

Fresenius Medical Care also holds free Treatment Options Program (TOPs)
sessions across the country for anyone who wants to learn more about
chronic kidney disease and the different kinds of dialysis treatment
available today. For information on TOPs sessions, as well as
patient-friendly support and detailed information on kidney disease and
dialysis facilities in your area, go to: www.ultracare-dialysis.com
(in English and Spanish) or call 1-866-4-DIALYSIS (1-866-434-2597).

* Statistics from National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases and National Kidney Foundation

About Fresenius Medical Care North America

Fresenius Medical Care North America is a subsidiary of Fresenius
Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, the world's largest integrated provider of
products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of
chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1,600,000
individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,388 dialysis clinics in
North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius
Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to approximately 184,086
patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's
leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines,
dialyzers and related disposable products. Fresenius Medical Care is
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York
Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS-p).

For more information about Fresenius Medical Care's U.S. network of more
than 1,700 dialysis facilities, visit the Company's website at www.ultracare-dialysis.com
(in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical
Care, visit the Company's websites: www.fmcna.com
or www.fmc-ag.com.

SOURCE: Fresenius Medical Care

Loomis Group 
Nicole Gustin, 617-638-0022 / voice 
gustinn@loomisgroup.com 
or 
Fresenius Medical Care 
Rosemary Heinold, 781-699-4171 / voice 
rosemary.heinold@fmc-na.com

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