Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common, serious, and costly public health problem.
Common: CKD affects millions worldwide, often developing silently over many years. Risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and aging populations make it increasingly prevalent. Serious: CKD can progress to kidney failure (end-stage renal disease), requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. CKD increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, anemia, and bone problems, making it life-threatening if not managed properly. Expensive: Treatment and management of CKD create a heavy financial burden. Dialysis and transplantation are costly, and hospitalizations are frequent. Preventing or slowing progression saves both lives and resources.
