A Global Wake-Up Call on Chronic Kidney Disease 

A Global Burden 

Since 1990, CKD prevalence has risen steeply, with an estimated 788 million people now living with the disease. Mortality has increased as well. Some regions are being hit harder than others: Canada has seen a 70% rise in CKD mortality, far above the global average – a trend experts describe as “a wake-up call.”  

While the aging population undoubtedly contributes, rising rates of diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions play a significant role. In fact, the study found that 11.5% of cardiovascular deaths are now attributable to kidney dysfunction – underscoring the interconnected nature of cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions (CKM).  

The economic burden is equally daunting. By 2027, annual direct healthcare costs for CKD across 31 countries are projected to reach over $400 billion, not including the quality-of-life and productivity loss suffered by patients and families.  

Gaps in the System  

The report exposes a major diagnostic gap rooted in CKD’s “silent” early stages. Across high-income countries, 64-96% of stage 3 CKD cases go undiagnosed, and fewer than half of people who have CKD even know they’re living with it. Clinician awareness and confidence remain low: only one-third of surveyed European primary care clinicians feel fully equipped to screen, diagnose and manage CKD.  

Basic, low-cost tests – such as albuminuria screening – are underutilized, even among patients with diabetes and hypertension.  

Slowing the Tide 

This analysis makes one message unmistakably clear: primary prevention and early detection must be the foundation of CKD response. The WHO kidney health resolution adopted earlier this year echoes this call, urging countries to invest in prevention, improve CKM risk-factor management, expand access to simple diagnostic tools and manage the broader CKM crisis.  

To learn more, read the full Lancet report or explore resources on CKD and CKM conditions.