About the CKD Initiative

Priorities of the CKD Initiative

Surveillance

The CKD Initiative maintains the Kidney Disease Surveillance System (KDSS), which tracks 48 indicators documenting CKD and its risk factors over time prior to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) using data from national sources. KDSS also monitors progress in preventing, detecting, and managing CKD, including kidney disease objectives laid out in Healthy People 2030.

KDSS supports public health action by:

• Identifying CKD prevalence and awareness gaps.

• Tracking diabetes, hypertension, and other CKD risk factors.

• Highlighting gaps in testing and early detection.

• Pinpointing gaps in evidence-based care.

• Monitoring CKD complications and mortality.

• Identifying high-burden and underserved populations.

The CKD Initiative provides funding to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to measure serum creatinine, serum cystatin C, and urine albumin and creatinine. CDC also supports kidney-related questions across national surveys (NHANES, the National Health Interview Survey, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) to continuously document awareness and knowledge of kidney disease at the population level.

Epidemiology

The CKD Initiative collaborates with other government agencies, universities, and national organizations to:

• Inform CKD prevention and management of risk factors.

• Raise awareness of CKD and its complications.

• Promote early diagnosis and management of CKD.

• Improve outcomes for people living with CKD.

In collaboration with other federal agencies, the CKD Initiative publishes Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States. This biannual report provides national estimates on:

• CKD prevalence.

• Health consequences.

• CKD risk factors.

• Use of prevention and treatment options.

Awareness and education

The CKD Initiative produces and distributes bimonthly updates to raise awareness on important topics in kidney disease surveillance and prevention. It also provides educational videos for patients and health care providers and online materials on the importance of screening for and early detection of CKD.

As a member of the Healthy People 2030 CKD Workgroup, the CKD Initiative works with other federal agencies to develop core objectives aimed at improving awareness, kidney outcomes, and health care among Americans at risk for or with CKD.

Health economics and outcomes research

The CKD Initiative funds health outcomes research that identifies individuals with CKD and assesses their risk of disease progression and related complications. Health economic studies help understand and communicate the cost effectiveness of screening, prevention, treatment, and treatment targets.

In collaboration with the scientific research institute RTI International, the CKD Initiative assesses the cost-effectiveness of screening and treatment interventions for CKD and its complications. These studies support policy decision-making and the efficient use of public health resources to prevent and manage CKD.

Also, the CKD Initiative supports applied research to strengthen the evidence base for CKD prevention, detection, and management in real-life settings. Accordingly, the burden of CKD among youth and young adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is tracked in the Comprehensive Analysis, Surveillance, and Statistics Initiative for Diabetes in the Young (CASSIDY) study. The Real-world Effectiveness of Structured Lifestyle Interventions in Preventing Type 2 Diabetes (REALITY) study examines the role of the National Diabetes Prevention Program and lifestyle interventions in preventing cardio-kidney-metabolic outcomes.