Kidney Health Australia has backed the Federal Government's push on binge drinking saying it is a major attack on future health problems especially chronic disease.

Anne Wilson CEO of Kidney Health Australia said young people especially had very little understanding of the damage they were doing to their bodies and the major health problems they were likely to face long term.

"We are fully supportive of the campaign and would hope to see WATER, nature's choice of drink feature prominently as Australia has one of the best tap water's in the world."

"Kidney Health Australia is using World Kidney Day 13 March and YouTube to promote kidney awareness to schools to alert young people to the amazing role their kidneys play and by also promoting water as nature's choice of drink.

"Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure each day and approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and don't know it."

Ms Wilson said "we have two major challenges. International surveys show that less than 5% of people were aware of where their kidneys are and what they do. The other challenge is the fact that people can lose up to 90% of the use of their Kidneys without feeling a thing."

"Every day our kidneys filter 200 litres of blood. A remarkable feat for two small organs the size of our fists which in one year on average process 73,000 litres of blood.

"At 50 years of age the amount is a remarkable 3.65 million litres of blood; at 60 it is 4.38 million litres of blood and at 70 years of age 5.110 million litres of blood.

"The animated YouTube community service announcement shows adults and children in various activities and the part played by their kidneys to keep them alive."

Media Enquiries:
Anne Wilson, CEO Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0400 165 391
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201