A Lancet analysis estimates that nearly 800 million adults were living with chronic kidney disease in 2023—up from 378 million in 1990—with the illness now ranking ninth among global causes of death. Researchers urge earlier detection and wider access to proven treatments.
A comprehensive analysis published online on November 7, 2025 in The Lancet estimates that 788 million adults had chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2023, up from 378 million in 1990. The study places CKD among the world’s top 10 causes of death for the first time, ranking ninth. Roughly 14% of adults globally are affected, and about 1.48–1.5 million people died from CKD in 2023—an age‑standardized increase of more than 6% since 1993. (eprints.gla.ac.uk)
Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, the work is part of the Global Burden of Disease 2023 initiative. The authors synthesized 2,230 studies and national health datasets from 133 countries to estimate prevalence, deaths, and disability. (sciencedaily.com)
CKD was the 12th leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2023, and impaired kidney function contributed to about 12% of global cardiovascular deaths, underscoring the strong kidney–heart connection. Major risk factors include high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high body mass index. Most cases are in early stages, creating a window for intervention to slow progression and avoid dialysis or transplantation. (kclpure.kcl.ac.uk)
“Our work shows that chronic kidney disease is common, deadly, and getting worse as a major public health issue,” said co‑senior author Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, director of NYU Langone’s Optimal Aging Institute. He added that CKD should be prioritized alongside cancer, heart disease, and mental health. (prnewswire.com)
Access to care remains uneven. In parts of sub‑Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, dialysis and transplants are scarce or unaffordable. Newer medications introduced in the past five years—now standard in many guidelines—can slow CKD progression and lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, but global uptake lags. “Chronic kidney disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated,” said co‑lead author Morgan Grams, MD, PhD, calling for more routine urine testing and affordable therapy. (sciencedaily.com)
Policy momentum is building. In May 2025, the World Health Assembly approved the first‑ever WHO resolution on kidney health, urging countries to integrate prevention, early detection, and treatment of CKD as part of efforts to meet the UN target of reducing premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases by one‑third by 2030. (who.int)
The findings were released to coincide with the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week and reflect collaboration across multiple institutions. The project received support from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Gates Foundation, and the National Kidney Foundation. (sciencedaily.com)
