Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects nearly 850 million people worldwide. Yet, it remains vastly underdiagnosed, often progressing without symptoms until late stages. In fact, fewer than 10% of those with CKD even realize they have it. As populations age and risk factors like diabetes and hypertension increase, CKD prevalence is growing. The scale and urgency of this crisis demands immediate attention.
Early Detection Saves Lives
New evidence shows that early detection and treatment can dramatically change CKD outcomes. The 2025 “Make the Change for Kidney Health” Evidence Glossary highlights that proactive measures could save millions of lives. Prioritizing early detection through routine screenings of high-risk groups, combined with better treatment adherence, can prevent up to 15 million deaths over the coming decades.
The Evidence Glossary also substantiates that early intervention in the treatment of CKD means fewer complications. The rate of major cardiovascular events linked to CKD could drop by nearly 48% and the need for dialysis could fall as much as 41%. Timely diagnosis and treatment give patients a far better chance to live longer, healthier lives.
Economic and Societal Benefits of Early Action
Investing in early CKD care isn’t only a health issue – it’s an economic and social opportunity. Keeping people healthier for longer means more people can stay in the workforce. One analysis concluded that over the next decade nearly 67 million additional people could remain in the global workforce thanks to early CKD detection and management. This boost in productivity benefits entire economies.
Time to Act: Turning Evidence into Policy
For the first time, kidney health is on the global policy radar. In May 2025, the World Health Assembly adopted a groundbreaking resolution on kidney health, recognizing CKD as a priority within the world’s non-communicable disease (NCD) agenda. This marks a great first step – but there is still much work to be done.
With millions of lives at stake, the evidence is clear about the benefits of early action. Now is the time to translate knowledge into action. Policymakers, healthcare leaders and stakeholders should push for policies that make early CKD diagnosis routine, implement targeted screening for high-risk groups and ensure access to effective treatments for all patients.
To learn more about the benefits of early detection in CKD patients, read the 2025 “Make the Change for Kidney Health” Evidence Glossary.