These diseases have become the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, according to the New York University Medical Center's media service.
Professor Joseph Koresh of New York University Medical Center explained that "our analysis showed that chronic kidney disease is one of the most widespread and serious health threats to human health, and that its severity is constantly increasing, indicating that combating these diseases should become a priority for the international community, just like cancer, heart disease and mental disorders."
Koresh and his colleagues reached these conclusions by analyzing data collected in the latest Global Burden of Disease report, which has been overseen by the World Health Organization, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since 1990. The project aims to track trends affecting global health.
Statistics show that approximately 14% of adults worldwide currently suffer from chronic kidney disease, resulting from a gradual decline in the kidneys' ability to filter blood. The number of those affected has risen from about 378 million in 1990 to 788 million in 2025.
The number of annual deaths from chronic kidney disease has also increased by 6% compared to 1993, reaching 1.5 million deaths per year, making it the ninth leading cause of death worldwide—a rate comparable to deaths from diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and lung cancer. The study indicates that these diseases also contribute to increased mortality rates from heart disease and a rise in the number of people with chronic disabilities.
Researchers believe that the rapid spread of diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure are among the main reasons behind the accelerating increase in the number of people with chronic kidney disease, as these factors greatly increase the risk of kidney dysfunction.
Scientists hope that understanding these trends will enable the international community to develop more effective strategies for prevention and treatment, and reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease globally.