Another step forward: WHO launches a dedicated kidney disease webpage
April 30, 2026
The ISN welcomes the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) launch of a dedicated kidney disease webpage, a significant step in recognizing kidney disease as a major noncommunicable disease (NCD) and global health priority.
This development highlights kidney disease’s rightful place on the global health agenda and provides an important reference point for raising awareness in ways that can help influence policy and improve patient outcomes.
This milestone follows years of advocacy by the ISN and others to raise the profile of kidney disease on the global NCD agenda. It also builds on two important global developments in 2025: the WHO kidney health resolution in May and the UN political declaration on NCDs and mental health in December. Together, these reinforced recognition of kidney disease as a major contributor to the global NCD burden and to progress toward the WHO’s Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4.
Kidney disease is increasingly recognized as a major driver of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is closely linked with other NCDs, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Bianca Hemmingsen, technical lead for diabetes at the WHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, commented: “The launch of this dedicated webpage is an important step in raising awareness and supporting integrated approaches to NCD prevention, early detection, and management, in line with global commitments.”
The ISN remains committed to working with the WHO and Member States to address the global burden of kidney disease and expand access to quality kidney care. The ISN also encourages the kidney health community to join forces in helping implement the commitments reflected in the WHO resolution and the UN political declaration.
