To generate the new figures, CDC researchers analyzed data on adult patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease compiled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration. The new numbers suggest the burden of kidney disease in America is higher than previously estimated.
Researchers determined nearly half — 48 percent — of people with severely reduced kidney function are unaware and not on dialysis. Additionally, a majority — 96 percent — of the 30 million Americans who have early stage kidney disease are unaware of their condition.
“Let these new statistics from CDC serve as a warning bell that a major public health challenge is right in front of our eyes and more must be done to address it,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant patient. “Additional federal resources must be allocated toward increasing public awareness about the disease and advancing programs targeted toward prevention and early detection. Leaders in the healthcare industry also need to prioritize [chronic kidney disease] for the costly, impactful disease that it is — the earlier we can diagnose someone with kidney disease the better their long-term outcomes.”
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