The National Health Measures Survey reveals that 2.69 million Australians are living with indicators of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), an increase of 1 million people in just over a decade.
Even more of a concern, a staggering 2.49 million Australians with signs of CKD have no idea they have it, putting them at serious risk of life-threatening complications.
The survey shows that the proportion of Australian adults that have indicators of CKD is one in seven (14.2%), up from 10.8% in 2012.
Despite this surge, awareness of the disease remains low – only 7.4% of adults with CKD indicators self-reported having kidney disease.
“This is a public health emergency,” said Chris Forbes, CEO of Kidney Health Australia.
“We are on a collision course with disaster. Twenty-five years ago, CKD was the 19th leading cause of death. Today it sits at nine.
“By 2050, it is projected to be the fifth leading cause of death. That is an unacceptable trajectory for a disease that is largely preventable.
“We have new, life-saving medications now available on the PBS that have been shown to slow or even stop kidney disease in its tracks. But the key is catching it early.
“Right now, millions of Australians are walking around with undiagnosed CKD, and without urgent action, their health may deteriorate rapidly.
“Put simply, we have to turn off the tap before it’s too late.”
A National Call to Action
Kidney Health Australia is calling on all sides of government to commit to a nation-changing aspiration: End Dialysis by 2050.
“This is not just a crisis; it’s a perfect storm, a defining moment for healthcare in Australia,” Forbes said.
“Without urgent action, we are facing an unsustainable explosion in kidney failure cases. An investment in early detection and disease prevention is the only way to shift the trajectory.
“We need governments to step up and help revolutionise the way we detect and manage kidney disease.”
Kidney failure places enormous strain on individuals, families and the healthcare system. The physical, emotional, and financial burdens of dialysis are immense, yet most of these cases could be prevented with earlier diagnosis and better management.
Get Tested Now
Chronic Kidney Disease is often linked to other serious health conditions, including high blood pressure and diabetes, which has also seen a sharp rise in prevalence over the last ten years.
The National Health Measures Survey also found that one in fifteen adults (6.6% of the adult population) now has diabetes, up from one in 20 a decade ago.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, making this crisis worse.
Kidney Health Australia is urging all Australians, particularly those at increased risk of kidney disease, such as people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease, to visit their doctor and get a kidney health check.
“A simple kidney health check could save your life,” Mr Forbes said.
“We need every Australian to take this seriously. Early detection is the key to preventing kidney failure and the need for dialysis or kidney transplant.”
