ESRD occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to function at a level necessary to sustain life. Asians in the United States are almost twice as likely to develop ESRD as non-Hispanic whites (Karter et al., 2002). In addition, annual increases in ESRD rates are greater among APIs than whites. New cases are increasing at 11% per year among APIs, compared with 6% per year among non-Hispanic whites (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000).
