A new study led by researchers from NYU Langone Health, the University of Glasgow, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington has found that chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. The number of people affected by reduced kidney function has more than doubled over three decades, rising from 378 million in 1990 to 788 million in 2023.
The research analyzed data from 2,230 published papers and national health datasets across 133 countries. It showed that about 14 percent of adults globally have CKD. In 2023 alone, approximately 1.5 million people died from the condition—a rise of over six percent since 1993 when adjusted for age differences among populations.
“Our work shows that chronic kidney disease is common, deadly, and getting worse as a major public health issue,” said 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.”
The World Health Organization added CKD to its agenda this year as part of a goal to reduce early deaths from noncontagious diseases by one-third before 2030. Dr. Coresh emphasized the need for updated data on CKD trends to help combat what he called an epidemic.
The study was published online November 7 in The Lancet and presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual Kidney Week conference. It forms part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study—a comprehensive effort tracking health loss worldwide—and is widely used to guide policy decisions.
Besides mortality figures, researchers examined how CKD affects quality of life through disability. They found impaired kidney function not only causes direct deaths but also contributes significantly to heart disease—accounting for about twelve percent of global cardiovascular mortality—and ranked as the twelfth leading cause behind diminished quality of life due to disability in 2023.
Major risk factors identified include high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and obesity as measured by body mass index.
Most individuals with CKD were found to be in early stages where timely treatment with medication or lifestyle changes can prevent more severe interventions such as dialysis or transplantation. However, access remains limited in low-income regions like sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
“Chronic kidney disease is underdiagnosed and undertreated,” said co-lead author Morgan Grams, MD, PhD. “Our report underscores the need for more urine testing to catch it early and the need to ensure that patients can afford and access therapy once they are diagnosed.”
Dr. Grams noted that recent medications introduced within five years can slow progression and lower risks related to heart conditions; however, widespread improvements may take time due to issues with diagnosis rates.
Funding sources included grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01DK100446), Gates Foundation, and National Kidney Foundation.
Dr. Coresh disclosed relationships with Healthy.io—a company providing remote clinical testing services—and SomaLogic; these associations are managed according to NYU Langone Health policies.
NYU Langone Health operates a comprehensive healthcare system known for achieving strong patient outcomes through a focus on quality care standards across its facilities. It includes multiple inpatient locations in New York and Florida along with tuition-free medical schools in Manhattan and Long Island.
