The State of Kidney Disease in America

A look at one of our health system’s greatest challenges.

Beyond the Numbers

This docuseries reveals the human side of kidney disease through everyday experiences. Watch as patients, doctors, nurses, and care partners navigate a complex healthcare system together. Their stories show both the challenges and the resilience that numbers alone can’t capture.

90%

of dialysis costs are covered by Medicare and Medicaid, reflecting the significant public health burden. Certain populations face higher risks, including older adults, non-white individuals, and those with lower incomes.

1 in 7

Americans live with chronic kidney disease (CKD) – that’s 37 million people across the country. CKD is the 9th leading cause of death in the United States, affecting people of all backgrounds.

800,000 +

people have progressed to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), where kidney function drops below 15%. At this critical stage, life depends on dialysis treatments or kidney transplantation.