Participatory Action Research with Young Adults on Dialysis Living in Disinvested Communities to Inform Future Health Equity Interventions

Nearly 15% of people with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the US are between the ages of 18 and 45 years. Structural racism and community disinvestment generate pronounced dialysis survival disparities in this age group. This qualitative study uses narrative interviewing, photovoice, and focus groups to elicit personal stories from young Black adults about their lives on dialysis, their goals, and perceived facilitators and barriers to achieving those goals. This research is important because personal stories can inform future health equity interventions.