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Chronic Kidney Disease Climbs to 10th Leading Cause of U.S. Deaths

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 14:22 GMT by Fox News

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The Silent Killer That’s Rising to the Top 10 Causes of Death in the U.S.

Over the past decade a disease that is often called “the silent killer” has moved up the ranks of the nation’s most lethal health threats. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) – a progressive loss of kidney function that can lead to end‑stage renal failure – has recently been identified as the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, a position it previously held only as a close‑second. The Fox News report “Killer condition growing in the U.S. lands top 10 leading causes of death” takes a close look at how the disease’s prevalence has surged, the risk factors that drive it, the economic toll it exacts on the healthcare system, and what doctors and public‑health advocates are urging patients to do to curb its spread.

The Numbers That Matter

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 37 million Americans – roughly one in nine adults – live with some stage of CKD. The disease is often silent, meaning many people do not know they have it until it’s advanced. CDC data from 2022 showed that approximately 415,000 people died from complications related to kidney disease that year – a figure that places CKD in the top 10 causes of death, alongside heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The Fox News piece highlighted that CKD’s rise has been largely driven by the concurrent epidemic of diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) – two conditions that are the leading contributors to kidney damage. In the article’s linked CDC report, it is noted that diabetes alone is responsible for around 40 % of all CKD cases, while hypertension accounts for about 20 %. Age is another key factor; nearly 25 % of adults over 65 are affected by CKD, and the disease is more common in African‑American, Hispanic, and Native American populations.

Why CKD Is Growing

The Fox News story cites multiple studies and expert interviews that explain why the disease’s incidence is climbing:

• Population aging – The U.S. is becoming an older nation. Because kidney function naturally declines with age, older adults are more vulnerable.
• Rise in obesity – Obesity fuels both diabetes and hypertension, creating a “perfect storm” for kidney damage.
• Delayed diagnosis – Many people do not get routine screening. Early stages of CKD often show no symptoms, and once the kidneys have suffered significant damage, the window for effective intervention narrows.

The article also includes an interview with Dr. Lisa Hernandez, a nephrologist at the University of California, who explains that early-stage CKD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication, but that late-stage disease requires dialysis or a transplant, both of which carry high costs and reduced quality of life.

The Economic Toll

In addition to the human toll, CKD imposes a huge financial burden. The Fox News piece links to a report from the American Kidney Fund that estimates the annual cost of CKD to the U.S. healthcare system exceeds $50 billion. Costs stem from hospital admissions, medication, dialysis machines, and the intensive outpatient care required to manage complications. End‑stage renal disease (ESRD) – the final, irreversible stage of CKD – drives the majority of these expenses.

The article notes that dialysis patients often miss work or are unable to participate fully in the workforce, thereby contributing to lost productivity. As such, the economic impact extends beyond direct medical bills.

Prevention and Early Detection

Because CKD progresses slowly and can remain asymptomatic for years, the Fox News article stresses the importance of screening and early detection. The CDC recommends:

1. Blood pressure checks – Keep readings below 130/80 mm Hg.
2. Blood glucose monitoring – For people with diabetes, maintain HbA1c levels below 7 %.
3. Kidney function tests – eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) should be checked every 1–3 years in high‑risk groups.

The article includes a link to the National Kidney Foundation’s “Get Screened” page, where patients can find local labs and educational resources. In addition to testing, Dr. Hernandez recommends:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting sodium and processed foods
• Staying hydrated but avoiding excessive fluids that could strain the kidneys
• Avoiding over‑use of non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can worsen kidney function

The Fox News piece also mentions newer pharmacologic therapies. SGLT2 inhibitors, originally used for diabetes, have been shown in several trials to slow CKD progression and reduce cardiovascular events, even in patients without diabetes. The article links to the latest FDA approval for these drugs in the context of CKD.

Public‑Health Response

The article underscores that CKD has not received the same level of public attention as heart disease or cancer, despite its rising mortality. In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Kidney Fund have launched a public‑awareness campaign that encourages patients to ask their primary‑care physicians about kidney health and to get tested if they fall into high‑risk categories.

There is also a push to integrate CKD screening into routine health check‑ups, especially for adults over 40 who have hypertension or diabetes. The Fox News story cites a recent CDC initiative to distribute free home blood‑pressure monitors to low‑income households as a means of early identification.

Bottom Line

Chronic kidney disease is no longer a niche medical condition confined to nephrology clinics. Its growing prevalence, combined with rising mortality and significant economic impact, has propelled it into the top 10 causes of death in the United States. The Fox News article provides a thorough overview of the disease’s burden, the risk factors that fuel its spread, and the preventive strategies available to the public. By increasing awareness, promoting early screening, and adopting proven lifestyle and medication interventions, it is possible to slow or even halt the progression of CKD, thereby saving lives and reducing the healthcare system’s heavy financial load.