CKD is more common is some racial and ethnic subgroups. Additionally, progression to ESRD is more common among blacks (who account for 29% of the ESRD population, compared to 12% of the general population) (United States Renal Data System, 2011) and white Hispanics (Peralta et al., 2006); however, the risk of mortality is lower in these subgroups. Thus, race/ethnicity could be considered a risk factor (albeit non-modifiable) for both initiation and progression of CKD. It is important for a U.S. CKD surveillance system to estimate the proportions of the population that will fall into these higher-risk categories as the population changes over time. The U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) conducts a population census every 10 years, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution to guide apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census 2000 and Census 2010 contained items regarding age, gender, race, Hispanic/Latino origin, and housing characteristics and was administered to the entire resident population of the United States. From the data collected, both population estimates (www.factfinder2.com) and projections (United States Census Bureau, 2008; http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/index.html) are available publicly.

CKD is more common is some racial and ethnic subgroups. Additionally, progression to ESRD is more common among blacks (who account for 29% of the ESRD population, compared to 12% of the general population) (United States Renal Data System, 2011) and white Hispanics (Peralta et al., 2006); however, the risk of mortality is lower in these subgroups. Thus, race/ethnicity could be considered a risk factor (albeit non-modifiable) for both initiation and progression of CKD. It is important for a U.S. CKD surveillance system to estimate the proportions of the population that will fall into these higher-risk categories as the population changes over time. The U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov) conducts a population census every 10 years, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution to guide apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census 2000 and Census 2010 contained items regarding age, gender, race, Hispanic/Latino origin, and housing characteristics and was administered to the entire resident population of the United States. From the data collected, both population estimates (www.factfinder2.com) and projections (United States Census Bureau, 2008; http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/index.html) are available publicly.