The updated global burden of chronic kidney disease: one death every 20 seconds

Across four European hospitals, clinical teams are transforming the way kidney dialysis is delivered cutting waste, saving energy, and reducing costs, all without compromising a single moment of patient care. This is the story of KitNewCare and its optimisations.

Every 20 seconds, somewhere in the world, a person dies from chronic kidney disease. Most of them never saw it coming. The condition progresses quietly, often without symptoms, until the damage is already severe. Now, new research involving scientists from across Europe warns that this silent disease is already affecting hundreds of millions of people, and could soon become one of the leading causes of death in Europe.

Sustainability in healthcare is no longer a distant goal, it is an urgent responsibility. As World Kidney Day 2026 approaches, KitNewCare partners across Europe are launching a series of webinars that explore how kidney care can evolve to meet the environmental, social and economic challenges of our time.