Kidney Facts

The need for people to educate themselves about chronic kidney disease becomes more  
pressing every year. A recent study found that 26 million American adults currently have CKD 
and that before being diagnosed through testing, the vast majority didn’t know it. “Chronic kidney 
disease is a silent killer because most people feel fine until it’s advanced,” says Andrea Savisky, 
Director of Programs.  National Kidney Month (March 2010) and World Kidney Day (March 11) 
mark a perfect time for health-conscious adults to learn more about CKD and the benefits of early 
detection. 

-that's 1 in 9 adults--have chronic kidney disease, and most are not aware of it. Because symptoms may not appear until the kidneys are actually failing, millions of people with kidney damage remain unaware and are not taking steps to protect the health of their kidneys

Here are some quick facts about kidney disease:

• 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and millions more are at risk.
• Kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.
• Each year, 112,000 people are diagnosed with kidney failure. That's one person every five minutes.
• More than 547,000 people in the U.S. are receiving treatment for kidney failure. Patients with failed kidneys need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
• 382,000 currently depend on dialysis to stay alive.
• 88,000 are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.
• African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and the elderly are at increased risk for kidney disease.
• The leading risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and family history.
• Early detection and proper treatment can slow the progress of kidney disease.

Information found on The National Kidney Disease Website