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Chronic Kidney Disease Now a Top 10 Cause of Death Globally
10 Nov
Summary
- Chronic kidney disease affects 14% of adults worldwide
- 1.5 million people died from the condition in 2023, up 6% since 1993
- Experts call for greater recognition of kidney disease as a major public health priority
According to a recent study, chronic kidney disease has emerged as a significant global health crisis. The research, 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, found that approximately 14% of adults globally suffer from the condition, which gradually reduces the kidneys' ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood.
The findings further indicate that in 2023, the condition claimed the lives of 1.5 million people, a staggering increase of over 6% since 1993, even when accounting for changes in countries' age demographics over time. Chronic kidney disease has now been ranked among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, alongside other major health concerns such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer.
"Our work shows that chronic kidney disease is common, deadly, and getting worse as a major public health issue," said study co-senior author Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, director of NYU Langone's Optimal Aging Institute. "These findings support efforts to recognize the condition alongside cancer, heart disease, and mental health concerns as a major priority for policymakers around the world."
