Overview
- The Global Burden of Disease 2023 analysis estimates about 1.5 million deaths from chronic kidney disease in 2023, placing it within the ten leading global causes.
- The Lancet publication synthesizes 2,230 studies and national datasets from 133 countries to deliver the most detailed assessment of the condition in nearly a decade.
- Most identified cases are in early stages with few symptoms, creating a window for intervention through routine screening and timely care.
- Impaired kidney function is implicated in roughly 12% of cardiovascular deaths worldwide, underscoring the condition’s broader health impact.
- Access to dialysis and transplants remains limited in many lower-income regions, and while newer drugs can slow progression, their global benefits will take time to appear.