A concerning surge in deaths linked to chronic kidney disease is prompting urgent calls for a national strategy in Canada, where the condition is rising at a rate exceeding global trends. Approximately one in ten Canadians – 4.5 million people – currently lives with CKD,a number projected to climb significantly in the coming decades. This report examines the growing health crisis, the disparities in care, and the potential for early detection and intervention to improve outcomes for those affected.
Deaths linked to chronic kidney disease have surged in Canada over the past three decades, a trend that far outpaces global increases and is prompting calls for a national strategy to address what experts are calling a growing, yet often overlooked, health crisis.
While progress has been made in managing some of the underlying causes of kidney disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the data reveal a critical gap in care for those already living with the condition. “We are doing a good job controlling some of the upstream factors, the major causes of kidney disease like hypertension and diabetes,” said Dr. Marcello Tonelli, a professor at the University of Calgary and president of the International Society of Nephrology.
“But these data tell us that we are failing in our obligations to people who already have kidney disease. We are not detecting it early enough, and we are not implementing the treatments that we know reduce mortality and prevent the progressive loss of kidney function and other adverse outcomes.”
– Dr. Marcello Tonelli, professor at the University of Calgary and president of the International Society of Nephrology
For Sean Delaney, of Alberta, the issue is deeply personal. He knows firsthand the challenges of living with kidney disease and the life-saving impact of organ donation.
In his home in Sherwood Park, the 54-year-old carefully organizes the daily medications that keep his transplanted kidney functioning – a routine he’s followed, in some form, for most of his life. Delaney was born with a blockage of the urinary tract, leading to the loss of his first kidney as an infant. His remaining kidney sustained him until he was 27, but eventually failed, requiring a transplant from his younger brother, Peter.
“That kidney lasted 21 years before I had to go back on dialysis,” Delaney explained.
His next kidney came from a friend of a friend, Brenda, offering him a second chance at life. “There’s a lot I wouldn’t have been able to do without my brother’s kidney and hers,” he said.
One in Ten Canadians Affected
New data indicates that approximately 4.5 million people in Canada – roughly one in ten – are currently living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This number is projected to rise to over 6.2 million by 2050. This increasing prevalence highlights the growing public health burden of kidney disease and the need for proactive intervention.
CKD often develops without noticeable symptoms, meaning many individuals are diagnosed only after irreversible damage has occurred. The rising mortality rate in Canada stands in stark contrast to the global average, which has increased by about 6% since 1990. Globally, CKD is now the ninth leading cause of death, driven by an aging population and increasing rates of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
“Certain populations and ethnic groups are more susceptible to developing kidney disease,” explained Carrie Thibodeau, national director of programs and public policy at the Canadian Kidney Foundation. “This includes Indigenous and Black communities, as well as people of Asian and South Asian descent.”
A National Framework Could Drive Prevention
The Canadian Kidney Foundation is urging the federal government to implement a national kidney health framework focused on equitable access to care, improved data collection, strengthened primary care, and early intervention. Early detection and treatment are crucial for slowing the progression of CKD and preventing the need for dialysis or transplantation.
“The most important way to achieve this is really to get a blood test and a urine test that you can ask your doctor for,” Thibodeau stated.
“If we diagnose people earlier and intervene earlier, we then have the opportunity to prevent them from needing dialysis or a transplant.”
The organization notes that momentum for coordinated action is building internationally. Earlier this year, the 78th World Health Assembly adopted its first-ever resolution on kidney health, calling on member states, including Canada, to integrate strategies focused on strengthening prevention, early detection, access to treatment, and national capacity for tracking progress.
For Delaney, the days of constant fatigue and nausea are behind him. He now spends his time hiking, traveling, and reaching new heights with his grandchildren.
“Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed,” he said.
“I seize every opportunity and take risks I wouldn’t have taken otherwise.”
During an evening walk with his dog, Delaney expressed gratitude not only for the kidneys that saved his life, but also for the second – and now third – chance to live a life he once feared losing.
if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n; n.push = n; n.loaded = !0; n.version = "2.0";
n.queue = []; t = b.createElement(e); t.async = !0;
t.src = v; s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s); })( window, document, "script",
"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js" );
fbq("init", "198053572435923");
fbq("track", "PageView");
