AI Insight
Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 850 million people globally, with the burden falling disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries where access to diagnosis, treatment, and kidney replacement therapy remains severely limited. In May 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on kidney health, calling on member states to integrate kidney care into national health strategies, strengthen primary care infrastructure, expand access to kidney replacement therapy, and improve capacity for tracking disease burden and health outcomes. This resolution represents a coordinated global policy effort to address a largely under-resourced disease area through systemic reforms at national and international levels.
Why it matters
Implementation of this resolution could improve early detection and treatment access for millions of patients in underserved regions, potentially reducing preventable deaths and the economic costs associated with late-stage kidney disease management. It also sets a framework for accountability among member states, which may drive measurable improvements in health equity over the coming years.
Chronic kidney disease affects 850 million people worldwide and places a disproportionate burden on low-income and middle-income countries where access to timely diagnosis, treatment, and life-sustaining kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is restricted. In May, 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on kidney health that called on all member states to integrate kidney care into national strategies; enhance prevention, early detection, and timely management; strengthen primary care; expand access to KRT; and enhance capacity for measuring burden, progress, and return on investment.