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
Kidney Disease Surveillance is a comprehensive information system for kidney disease to inform and stimulate public health action. The purpose of the system is reducing the burden and impact of kidney disease on the U.S. population.
About Surveillance

Prevalenceof Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Prevalence of CKD Stages 1–4 during 2015-2016 in the U.S. was 14.2%.
Prevalence of CKD Among U.S.
Adults, by Stage
Source of information: NHANES
Prevalence of CKD by the percentage of patients with a CKD code is distributed unevenly across states.
Prevalence of CKD 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.
Prevalence of CKD Stages 3-4,
by Diabetes and Prediabetes
Source of information: NHANES

Kidney Disease Risk Calculator

The calculator estimates the probability of having Chronic Kidney Disease. The calculations is based on individual characteristics: age, sex, and 7 comorbidities.
Access Calculator
ARE YOU AWARE?

Kidney Disease Awareness is Improving, but
Remains Low in the US

Awareness of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been very low in the US, with only 1 out of 10 individuals with CKD being aware of having it. Using nationally representative data, the overall awareness of CKD Stages 3-4 in the United States has risen overall from 11.2% to 20% between 2001 and 2020. Awareness is higher among individuals with more advanced CKD. Continued efforts to raise awareness in earlier stages of CKD can prevent progression to later stages, including end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and can reduce related complications and early death associated with CKD.
View Spotlight
Awareness Archive

Risk Factors for Kidney Disease

Diabetes

Diabetes is a leading risk factor for chronic kidney disease (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 26.6% in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to 26.3% in the 2017-March 2020 survey.

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 6.0%; in those aged 40-59 years old, 11.2%; in those aged 60-69 years old, 20.1%; and in those 70 years of age and older, it was 42.6%.

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, 10 of which are about chronic kidney disease. Goals are tracked using several data sources

In addition, the Kidney Disease Surveillance System tracks these goals. Click on the Healthy People 2030 button below to see all the surveillance system indicators related to HP2030.

Healthy People 2030
Prevalence of CKD Stages 1-4 by Year
Prevalence of CKD Among U.S.
Adults, by Stage
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 3-4
Source of information: NHANES

Outcomes Related to
Kidney Disease

State of Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

State of
Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

Outcomes Related to
Kidney Disease

State of Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

State of
Quality of Care
for Kidney Disease

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GENERAL INFORMATION
CKD Fact Sheet: Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2021
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.
 Download CKD Fact Sheet

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