Overview: A Widespread Kidney Health Challenge
A global study published in The Lancet has revealed that India recorded the second-highest number of people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2023, totaling about 138 million. Only China registered more cases, with roughly 152 million. This finding underscores a kidney health crisis affecting a significant portion of India’s population and adds urgency to public health efforts aimed at prevention, early detection, and treatment access.
What this means for India’s health landscape
CKD is a progressive condition that can lead to kidney failure if not managed effectively. The Lancet analysis places CKD among the top nine causes of death globally, illustrating its impact on mortality, quality of life, and healthcare systems. For India, the sheer scale translates into strained outpatient services, increased demand for dialysis and transplantation, and higher long-term costs for families and the health sector.
Contributing risk factors
Several drivers contribute to India’s CKD burden. Rising rates of hypertension and diabetes play a central role, as both conditions damage kidney vessels over time. Other factors include obesity, smoking, high-sodium diets, and limited access to timely primary care in many regions. Environmental and occupational exposures—such as pollutants and hazardous working conditions—may also influence kidney health, particularly in rural areas where health screening is less accessible.
Demographic dynamics and regional variation
India’s large and aging population means that more people are entering age groups with higher CKD risk. The country also exhibits regional disparities in health infrastructure, with urban centers often better equipped to screen and treat CKD than remote or economically challenged areas. This uneven landscape can delay diagnosis and worsen outcomes for patients in underserved communities.
Implications for prevention, screening, and care
The Lancet study’s findings call for a multi-pronged strategy to curb CKD in India. Early detection through routine screening for high-risk groups—such as individuals with diabetes and hypertension—can prevent progression. Public health campaigns should promote blood pressure and blood glucose control, reduce dietary sodium, encourage hydration, and highlight the importance of kidney-friendly lifestyles.
Strengthening primary care and referral pathways
Strengthening primary care networks is essential. Routine urine tests and kidney function panels can identify CKD in its early stages, enabling timely intervention. Clear referral pathways to nephrologists and dialysis centers improve patient outcomes and reduce emergency presentations.
Access to treatment and affordability
For many patients, treatment options such as dialysis and kidney transplantation are life-saving but financially burdensome. Expanding public funding, insurance coverage, and subsidized dialysis can ease this burden. Training more healthcare professionals in nephrology, as well as expanding transplantation capabilities, will be crucial to meeting rising demand.
What individuals can do today
On a personal level, individuals can lower CKD risk by maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and sugar, staying hydrated, and avoiding nephrotoxic substances when possible. Regular health checkups, especially for those with risk factors, are key to catching kidney disease before symptoms emerge.
Policy and research directions
Researchers and policymakers should prioritize data collection to track CKD trends by region and socioeconomic status. Investments in early screening programs, public education campaigns, and affordable treatment options will help bend the CKD curve in the years ahead. Collaborative efforts across government, academia, and civil society are essential to translate the Lancet findings into tangible health gains for millions of Indians.
