How Common Is Chronic Kidney Disease?

When people hear the words “chronic disease,” they may first think of heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) does not always receive the same level of attention, but its prevalence places it firmly within the nation’s chronic disease conversation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 14% of U.S. adults, or approximately 37 million people, have CKD. For context, the agency reports that 40.1 million people in the United States have diabetes. These estimates are based on different populations and methods and should not be treated as a direct comparison. Together, however, they illustrate the substantial number of people affected by both conditions.

CKD is also closely connected to other chronic diseases. Diabetes and high blood pressure are its two most common causes. According to the CDC, approximately 38% of adults with diabetes and 21% of adults with high blood pressure also have CKD. CKD can also increase the risk of other serious health problems, including heart disease and stroke.

That overlap means kidney health should be included whenever patients, health professionals and policymakers discuss chronic disease prevention and management. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Health Authority and the Washington State Department of Health collect information about chronic conditions and related risk factors. These data help communities better understand local health needs and guide public health planning.

Awareness matters because CKD can often be managed more effectively when it is identified early. Depending on an individual patient’s needs, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, taking medications as prescribed, making nutrition or lifestyle changes and regularly monitoring kidney function may help slow the progression of the disease. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases offers additional information about managing CKD.

During Chronic Disease Month, the Northwest Kidney Council is working to ensure that kidney health remains part of the larger conversation. CKD is not a rare or isolated condition. It affects millions of people, intersects with several other major chronic diseases and deserves sustained attention in Oregon, Washington and across the country.