Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO0928

Racial Disparities in CKD Mortality in the United States: A CDC WONDER Analysis, 2018-2024

Session Information

• Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health
  October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health

• 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health

Authors

• Kodali, Naga Anvesh, University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Ocala, Florida, United States

Naga Anvesh Kodali, MD, MBBS

• Seth, Sukriti, University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Ocala, Florida, United States

Sukriti Seth, MBBS

• Desai, Hardik, AB Plus Multispecialty Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Hardik Desai, MBBS

• Ventrapragada, Saila V., University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, Ocala, Florida, United States

Saila V. Ventrapragada, MD

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing contributor to mortality in the United States, with persistent racial and sociodemographic inequities. We evaluated contemporary racial disparities in CKD mortality using national CDC WONDER data.

Methods

CDC WONDER Underlying Cause of Death data from 2018–2024 were analyzed using ICD-10 codes N18.0–N18.9. CKD mortality trends were stratified by race, state, U.S. Census region, 2013 urbanization category, Hispanic origin, age group, and educational attainment. Annualized percentage change (APC) was estimated using log-linear regression.

Results

From 2018–2024, CKD deaths among White individuals increased from 25,862 to 27,992 (APC +1.1%), while deaths among Black individuals increased from 7,302 to 8,041 (APC +1.5%). Minority racial groups demonstrated substantially higher relative increases, including Other Pacific Islanders (81 to 191 deaths; APC +15.6%), Samoans (43 to 94; +14.0%), Asian Indians (312 to 541; +9.7%), Vietnamese (228 to 361; +7.4%), Hawaiians (117 to 181; +6.7%), Koreans (201 to 309; +6.5%), and Filipinos (624 to 934; +6.5%). State-level analysis showed the highest CKD mortality burden in California (4,912 deaths in 2024), Texas (4,481), Florida (3,967), and New York (2,844), while Southern states demonstrated the largest proportional increases. Regionally, the South accounted for the highest mortality burden, representing 38.6% of all CKD deaths in 2024, followed by the Midwest (23.4%), West (21.7%), and Northeast (16.3%). Age-stratified analyses revealed adults aged ≥75 years accounted for 54.8% of CKD deaths in 2024, whereas individuals aged 45–64 years demonstrated the fastest increase (APC +5.1%).

Conclusion

Profound racial disparities persist in CKD mortality across the United States. Pacific Islander, Asian, Hispanic, rural, and lower-education populations experienced disproportionately rapid increases in CKD-related mortality, highlighting urgent needs for equitable kidney disease prevention and access to care.