Global Study Reveals Alarming Surge in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) now affects about 788 million adults worldwide, more than double the number in 1990, making it one of the most widespread and underrecognized health threats A recent systematic analysis published in The Lancet revealed that CKD is now the ninth leading cause of death globally, responsible for roughly 1.48 million deaths in 2023 alone High blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, and excess body weight are the leading drivers of CKD worldwide, together accounting for most of the disease's overall health burden Early-stage CKD affects over 13% of the adult population globally, yet most cases remain undiagnosed because symptoms often don't appear until the disease is advanced You can lower your risk of CKD by keeping your blood pressure and blood sugar in check, getting regular movement, staying hydrated, reducing processed foods, and supporting kidney function with balanced nutrition