Longevity & AgingDiabetes Now Fuels Rising Chronic Kidney Disease Despite New Treatments
Chronic kidney disease affects roughly 36 million U.S. adults and its overall prevalence has barely budged over the past decade, hovering near 14.8%. But underneath that stable surface, a troubling shift is happening: kidney disease caused by diabetes increased from 4.7% to 5.7% between 2013 and 2023, even as newer kidney-protective drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors became widely available. Heart failure is also strongly linked to CKD, and researchers warn that kidney disease increasingly travels alongside heart and metabolic conditions. Critically, 87% of adults with CKD don't know they have it, making early screening — especially albuminuria testing — a key priority for anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
