Advancing kidney care through data
Since 2016, the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) has mapped kidney care worldwide, highlighting readiness, capacity, and access for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Based on WHO’s Universal Health Coverage Framework and data from over 160 countries, it offers vital insights for healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and people living with kidney disease.
Whether you’re shaping policy, improving care, or guiding research, the ISN-GKHA equips you with the data to drive meaningful change in kidney health.
A global snapshot of kidney care
The ISN-GKHA offers:

Comprehensive global coverage
Data from across all ISN regions, covering over 160 countries.

Comparative insights over time
Track kidney care infrastructure changes across different ISN-GKHA survey cycles – 2017, 2019, 2023, and the next edition planned for 2027.

Policy-driven data
Empower governments, healthcare providers, and researchers with evidence-based insights to advocate for better kidney care.

Free and open access
Essential data available to all, supporting efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat kidney disease worldwide.
This initiative is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the ISN-GKHA team – including the ISN Research department, Steering Committee, and Working Group – together with the support of ISN members and partners.
Your tool for actionable insights: the ISN-GKHA Interactive Map
Making data and actionable insights more accessible than ever, the ISN-GKHA Interactive Map is an easy-to-use tool for researchers, policymakers, and clinicians to make better kidney care possible.
- Compare trends from 2019 and 2023
- Access real-time kidney care indicators by country, region, or income level
- Visualize data through charts, maps, and reports
This initiative is supported by members of the ISN Strategic Partner Program. Feel free to share your feedback on the Interactive Map.
Read articles that use ISN-GKHA data to drive evidence-based kidney care improvements.
First ISN GKHA issue published in 2017 (JAMA):
Bello AK, Levin A, Tonelli M, et al. Assessment of Global Kidney Health Care Status.
JAMA. 2017;317(18):1864–1881.
doi:10.1001/jama.2017.4046
Second issue published in 2019 (BMJ):
Bello AK, Levin A, Lunney M, et al. Status of care for end stage kidney disease in countries and regions worldwide: international cross sectional survey.
BMJ. 2019;367:l5873. Published 2019 Oct 31.
doi:10.1136/bmj.l5873
Third issue published in 2023 (The Lancet Global Health):
Bello AK, Levin A, Okpechi IG, et al. An update on the global disparities in kidney disease burden and care across world countries and regions.
The Lancet Global Health. 2019;367:l5873. Published 2024 Feb 14.
doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00570-3
Main manuscript
- An update on the global disparities in kidney disease burden and care across world countries and regions. The Lancet Global Health. 2024.
UHC (Universal Health Coverage) domain names
- Global availability of medications and health technologies for kidney care: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA, PLOS Global Public Health. 2024
- Landscape of kidney replacement therapy provision in low- and lower-middle income countries: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA, PLOS Global Public Health. 2024
- Disparities in kidney care in vulnerable populations: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA, PLOS Global Public Health. 2024
- A global snapshot on health systems capacity for detection, monitoring, and management of acute kidney injury: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA, PLOS Global Public Health. 2024
- Regional hotspots for chronic kidney disease: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA, PLOS Global Public Health. 2024
- Global variations in funding and use of hemodialysis accesses: An international report using the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas. BMC Nephrology 2024
- Dialysis outcomes across countries and regions: A global perspective from the ISN-GKHA. Kidney Int Report 2024.
- Organization and structures for detection and monitoring of CKD across world countries and regions: Observational data from a global survey. American Journal of Kidney Disease 2024.
- Peritoneal Dialysis Use and Practice Patterns: An International Survey Study. American Journal of Kidney Disease 2024.
- A global overview of health system financing and available infrastructure and oversight for kidney care, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- Global structures, practices, and tools for provision of hemodialysis, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- Global structures, practices, and tools for provision of chronic peritoneal dialysis, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- Worldwide organization and structures for kidney transplantation services, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- Global access and quality of conservative kidney management, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- A global assessment of kidney care workforce, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- Global data monitoring systems and early identification for kidney diseases, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
- Global kidney health priorities—perspectives from the ISN-GKHA, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (NDT) 2024.
UHC (Universal Health Coverage) regional papers
- Editorial: Variations in kidney care management and access: Regional assessments of the 2023 ISN-GKHA. Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Introduction: Update on variability in organization and structures of kidney care across world regions. Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Africa region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Eastern and Central Europe region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Latin America region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Middle East region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology NIS and Russia region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology North America and the Caribbean region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology North and East Asia region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Oceania and South East Asia region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology South Asia region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
- Capacity for the management of kidney failure in the International Society of Nephrology Western Europe region: Report from the 2023 ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA). Kidney Int Suppl. 2024
Main manuscript
UHC (Universal Health Coverage) domain names
- Global Estimates of Capacity for Kidney Transplantation in World Countries and Regions. Transplantation. 2021 Sep
- Current status of health systems financing and oversight for end-stage kidney disease care: a cross sectional global survey. BMJ Open. 2021 July
- Workforce capacity for the care of patients with kidney failure across world countries and regions. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Jan
- Availability, Accessibility, and Quality of Conservative Kidney Management Worldwide. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Dec
- Availability, coverage, and scope of health information systems for kidney care across world countries and regions. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2020 Dec
- Disparities in end-stage kidney disease care for children: a global survey. Kidney Int. 2020 Sep
- Peritoneal Dialysis Use and Practice Patterns: An International Survey Study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2020 Aug
- Hemodialysis Use and Practice Patterns: An International Survey Study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2020 Aug
UHC (Universal Health Coverage) regional papers
- Global variation in kidney care: national and regional differences in the care and management of patients with kidney failure. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- Understanding distribution and variability in care organization and services for the management of kidney care across world regions. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Africa. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Eastern and Central Europe. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Latin America. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in the Middle East. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Newly Independent States and Russia. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in North America and the Caribbean. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in North and East Asia. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Oceania and South East Asia. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in South Asia. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Western Europe. Kidney Int Suppl. 2021 Apr
- A roadmap for kidney care in Africa: An analysis of International Society of Nephrology–Global Kidney Health Atlas Africa data describing current gaps and opportunities. African Journal of Nephrology. 2022 Jul
Other in collaboration with KDIGO
- Availability and Affordability of Kidney Health Laboratory Tests around the Globe. Am J Nephrol. 2020 Dec
Other
- Assessing Global Kidney Nutrition Care. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2022 Jan
Main manuscript
- Assessment of Global Kidney Health Care Status. JAMA. 2017
Protocol with supplements
- Global Kidney Health Atlas (GKHA): design and methods. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2017 Oct.
Other
- Worldwide Preparedness for Kidney Health Care. JAMA. 2017 May 9
UHC (Universal Health Coverage) domains papers
Building blocks toward sustainable kidney care around the world: results from a multinational survey by the International Society of Nephrology. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Guidelines, policies, and barriers to kidney care: findings from a global survey. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Global overview of health systems oversight and financing for kidney care. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Global nephrology workforce: gaps and opportunities toward a sustainable kidney care system. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Global access of patients with kidney disease to health technologies and medications: findings from the Global Kidney Health Atlas project. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Global coverage of health information systems for kidney disease: availability, challenges, and opportunities for development. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Global capacity for clinical research in nephrology: a survey by the International Society of Nephrology. Kidney Int Suppl (2011). 2018 Feb
Discover the impact of the ISN-GKHA through the global media coverage.
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More resources
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Contact the ISN Research team
Get in touch with us for inquiries, collaborations, or support at research@theisn.org.
Help expand access to kidney care
The ISN-GKHA is made possible through the commitment of ISN members and partners. Support initiatives like this by joining ISN or making a donation.