Global Study Finds 788 Million Have Kidney Disease as 1.5 Million Died in 2023
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · May 29
Global Study Finds 788 Million Have Kidney Disease as 1.5 Million Died in 2023
1 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · May 29
788 million people were living with chronic kidney disease in 2023, up from 378 million in 1990, pushing it into the world's top 10 causes of death for the first time.
1.5 million people died from the condition in 2023, and age-adjusted mortality was more than 6% higher than in 1993 as population growth, aging, diabetes, hypertension and obesity drove the rise.
14% of adults worldwide are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, which often shows no early symptoms and also contributed to about 12% of global cardiovascular deaths.
2,230 studies and datasets from 133 countries fed the analysis, which found most cases are still in earlier stages when drugs and lifestyle changes can slow progression.
Low-income regions including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America still have limited access to dialysis and transplants, while experts warn the true burden is likely higher because many people are never tested.
With new drugs costing $500 a month, is the cure for kidney disease only for the wealthy?
As climate change accelerates, are our kidneys becoming the silent casualty of a warming and polluted planet?
Chronic Kidney Disease in 2023: The Escalating Global Crisis, Key Drivers, and Urgent Strategies for Prevention and Policy Action
Overview
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a rapidly growing global health crisis, affecting an estimated 850 million people worldwide, with many living in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The Global Burden of Diseases Study 2023 used a wide range of data sources to provide a detailed analysis of CKD’s impact, including deaths, incidence, and disability. The report highlights that CKD prevalence is rising, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources. This growing burden is made worse by underdiagnosis and lack of awareness, emphasizing the urgent need for early detection, better management, and stronger health policies to address this escalating challenge.