Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Kidney disease in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
Kidney disease was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States in 2023, causing around 55,250 deaths that year. The most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, with an estimated 38 percent of those in the U.S. with chronic kidney disease (CKD) also suffering from diabetes, while 35 percent also have cardiovascular disease and 22 percent hypertension. CKD is diagnosed when one’s kidneys fail to work properly for longer than three months, whereas acute kidney injury or acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop working. CKD progresses slowly, and symptoms may not appear until the kidneys are badly damaged. As the kidneys stop working properly, waste builds up in the blood resulting in increased symptoms and eventual kidney failure. In the United States, CKD is slightly more common among females than among males, and occurs more frequently among older individuals, with most cases found in those aged 65 years and older.
