State/Kidney Facts

  • 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 20 million more are at an increased risk of getting it.
  • 1 in 8 American adults have CKD.
  • Alabama ranks 5th in the nation for kidney disease occurence.
  • More than 70,000 Americans die each year of kidney disease.
  • More than 375,000 Americans suffer from CKD and need an artificial kidney machine (dialysis) or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
  • Due to an organ shortage, more than 75,000 patients are currently waiting for a kidney transplant.
  • Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure, accounting for 44% of the new cases each year and 35% of all cases in the U.S.
  • Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is the 2nd leading cause of CKD in the U.S. accounting for about 23% of U.S. cases.