Tracking & Preventing
Kidney Disease in America

Tracking & Preventing Kidney Disease in America

Blood & Urine Tests Measure Kidney Function, Damage & Other Abnormalities
Blood & Urine Tests Measure
Kidney Function, Damage &
Other Abnormalities
The Kidney Disease Surveillance System is a comprehensive information system for kidney disease to inform and stimulate public health action. The purpose of the system is to support efforts to reduce the burden and impact of kidney disease on the United States.
About Surveillance
Are You Aware? is designed to raise awareness about important topics relevant to kidney disease surveillance and prevention.
Click to view awareness topic archive

Prevalence of Polycystic Kidney Disease Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic condition that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys. Typically, in autosomal dominant PKD (the most common form), these cysts progressively damage the kidneys and result in kidney failure. Although rare, PKD is still the fourth leading cause of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) behind diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis, and accounts for 5% of all ESKD in the United States. Although considered a disease of younger adults, it is not uncommon to encounter patients with a diagnosis of PKD among Medicare beneficiaries (~25,000 people in 2021). Whether these older adults represent survivors of autosomal dominant PKD or represent milder forms of PKD, or both, requires further investigation.

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Archive

Kidney Disease Risk Calculator

This calculator estimates the probability of having CKD using calculations based on individual characteristics: age, sex, and 7 comorbidities.
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Prevalence & Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Trends in Prevalence of CKD Stages among U.S. Adults
Trends in Prevalence of CKD
Stages among U.S. Adults
Source of information: NHANES
Prevalence of CKD by the percentage of patients with a CKD code is distributed unevenly across states.
Prevalence of Diagnosed CKD among Medicare Beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 Years, by U.S. State and County
Source of information: CMS-Medicare
CKD Prevalence in adults with diabetes remained the same (20%) in 1999–2004 & 2011–2018.
Trends in Incidence Rate of CKD
among U.S. Veterans
Source of information: NATIONAL VA

Risk Factors for Kidney Disease

Age

Although kidney disease can occur at any age, CKD is more frequently associated with older age. In the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of 2017–March 2020, the prevalence of CKD among those aged 18–39 years old was 6.1%; in those aged 40–59 years old, 10.9%; in those aged 60–69 years old, 18.5%; and in those 70 years of age and older, it was 38.4%.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a leading risk factor for CKD. Persons with diabetes make up the fastest-growing group of kidney dialysis and transplant recipients in the United States. The prevalence of CKD among adults with diabetes has decreased from 42.3% in the 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to 38.5% in the 2017–March 2020 survey.

Hypertension

Hypertension is the second leading risk factor for CKD. CKD can also lead to the development of hypertension through multiple mechanisms. The prevalence of CKD among adults with hypertension has remained stable, representing 24.5% in the 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to 24.6% in the 2017–March 2020 survey.

Data Bite Highlights

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2030

Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) sets data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being over the next decade. There are 14 goals related to kidney disease, including 10 for CKD. Goals are tracked using several data sources.

The Kidney Disease Surveillance System also unofficially tracks these goals. Click on the Healthy People 2030 button below to see all the Kidney Disease Surveillance System indicators related to HP2030.

Healthy People 2030
Prevalence of CKD Stages 1-4 by Year
Trends in Prevalence of
CKD Stages among U.S. Adults
Source of information: NHANES
% with CKD Stage 3 or 4 who were aware of their disease
Kidney Disease Awareness among
U.S. Adults with CKD Stages 3–5
Source of information: NHANES

Outcomes Related to
Kidney Disease

Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

State of
Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

Outcomes Related to
Kidney Disease

Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

State of
Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fact Sheet: Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2023
When people develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), their kidneys become damaged and over time may not clean the blood as well as healthy kidneys. If kidneys do not work well, toxic waste and extra fluid accumulate in the body and may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and early death. However, people with CKD and people at risk for CKD can take steps to protect their kidneys with the help of their health care providers.

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD) INITIATIVE

In 2006, the CDC established the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Initiative to provide public health strategies for promoting kidney health. Current activities of the CKD Initiative include surveillance, epidemiology, health outcomes, and economic studies in partnership with various offices at the CDC, other governmental agencies, universities, and national organizations. Visit CKD Initiative