Advocacy & Public Policy

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) proudly announces the release of Transforming Kidney Health Research: A Research Agenda for the Future. This landmark report presents a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate discovery, prevention, and cures for kidney diseases—conditions that affect 37 million Americans and cost the nation more than $150 billion each year.

Launched in 2024, the Transforming Kidney Health Research (TKHR) initiative brought together leaders across the kidney community—including scientists, clinicians, and patient representatives—to examine how the nation can reimagine its kidney research ecosystem. Chaired by Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN, President-Elect of ASN, the panel's work reflects broad collaboration with federal agencies, research institutions, and nonprofit partners.

The TKHR report provides a unified research agenda to help the United States achieve a bold vision: a future without kidney failure. Building on the momentum of the 2019 Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health, the panel outlines a blueprint for coordinated national action and strategies to strengthen research funding, coordination, and workforce development across government and private sectors in order to prevent kidney failure, improve transplantation, and drive cures.

Download the Report

• Download the Full Report
• Read the Foreword by Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN

Key Priorities and Recommendations

Kidney diseases receive less than $18 per patient per year in federal research funding—far below investments in other disease areas like cancer or HIV/AIDS. The report calls for the federal government to provide $1.8 billion annually over the next decade to develop scalable therapies and innovation that could offset its costs within two weeks of Medicare dialysis spending. The TKHR report also details five interconnected priorities that, together, can transform the nation's approach to kidney health:

1. Spotting the Silent Killer

Early detection and prevention are critical, as only 10% of people with kidney diseases know they have them. The report calls for investment in AI-driven screening tools, liquid biopsies, and community-based testing to identify kidney diseases.

2. Finding Causes and Creating Cures

More than one in four people with kidney diseases have a genetic contributor. The report recommends expanding genomic, environmental, and precision medicine research, linking major national datasets like NIDDK's Kidney Precision Medicine Project and NHLBI's TOPMed, and supporting gene and cell therapies to move from managing kidney diseases to curing them.

3. Transforming Transplantation

With over 90,000 Americans waiting for a kidney transplant, the report urges further research to extend graft life, reduce organ discards, and advance xenotransplantation to revolutionize transplant outcomes.

4. Reimagining Dialysis

Although dialysis sustains life, it remains burdensome and outdated. The report envisions next-generation dialysis technologies—including portable, wearable, and implantable devices—developed through public-private partnerships.

5. Reviving the Research Workforce

The kidney research workforce is in crisis. The report calls for increased research funding, training programs, and cross-disciplinary recruitment to rebuild the pipeline of physician-scientists and innovators.

Acknowledgments

ASN extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Parikh and the TKHR Panel, whose leadership and vision guided this project, for their dedication to improving the lives of people affected by kidney diseases. ASN further acknowledges the invaluable contributions of patients, federal partners, and supporting organizations whose collaboration made this report possible. Together, we can transform kidney health—by investing in research and empowering innovation.

• Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN

  TKHR Panel Chair
  Dallas, TX
  ASN President-Elect

• Sandra Amaral, MD, MHS

  Philadelphia, PA
  ASPN President-Elect

• Charlotte Jones Burton, MD, MS

  Somerset, NJ
  AKF Board of Trustees

• Paul T. Conway

  Falls Church, VA
  Former President of AAKP
  Kidney Transplant Recipient

• Ali Gharavi, MD

  New York, NY

• Benjamin D. Humphreys, MD, PhD, FASN

  Saint Louis, MO
  ASN Councilor

• Holly Kramer, MD, MPH

  Maywood, IL
  Former NKF President

• Sharon Moe, MD, FASN

  Indianapolis, IN
  Former ASN President

• Leonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD, FASN

  Boston, MA

• Anne Rohall, JD

  McLean, VA
  American Kidney Fund
  Living Kidney Donor

• Susan Quaggin, MD, FASN

  Chicago, IL
  Former ASN President