What Kidney Patients Want: Insights from the 2025 NKF Survey on Kidney Health Priorities

Health systems, social systems, and environmental factors Government Healthcare quality, access, and evaluation Policy and legislation

November 22, 2024

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) recently surveyed kidney patients across the United States. We asked our Kidney Advocacy Committee, Kidney Outreach Team, and members of the kidney community about their concerns and policy priorities. Over 130 people shared their insights on the challenges facing people with kidney disease and potential solutions.

Here’s what we learned.

What Matters Most to Kidney Patients

Better Access to Transplants

Patients want fewer organ donation and transplantation barriers. NKF recently invested in 34 Lives, a company dedicated to transforming the deceased donor kidneys waitlist by restoring the viability of donated kidneys. 

Learn more about 34 Lives.

More Treatment Research

Finding new ways to prevent and treat kidney disease remains critical to patients. NKF created ‘CKD Spotlight,’ an interactive tool for healthcare professionals and policymakers. This dashboard makes it easy to find data, uncover care gaps, and develop better strategies to help people with chronic kidney disease.

Visit the CKD Spotlight Dashboard.

Patients also prioritized:

Local Policy Priorities

Patients also want state-level changes, such as:

  • Medicaid Expansion: To help more people access care.
  • Medigap Coverage: To reduce Medicare out-of-pocket costs.

Tell Congress to prioritize kidney policies. 

Kidney Transplants: A Top Focus

NKF is committed to increasing access to transplants. One way is through living kidney donors. 

We’re committed to making kidney donation easier by:

We are also advocating for policies that may help patients manage their weight, making more people eligible for transplants and improving long-term kidney health.

Show support for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act.

New Insights from Patients

The survey also revealed areas where NKF can do more:

  • Mental Health: Patients need more support for emotional well-being.
  • More Education: Kidney disease information should be easy to find and understand.
  • Transparency in Transplantation: Patients want to know how organ donation decisions are made.

Inclusive Advocacy

Most survey respondents were transplant recipients. NKF is working to include more voices from all areas of kidney health so everyone’s experiences are represented.

Your voice matters! Join NKF’s Voices for Kidney Health today and watch for the next Kidney Health Policy Survey.

Join the Fight for Better Kidney Care

The 2025 survey proves that patient voices are shaping the future of kidney care. NKF is proud to work with advocates year-round to bring these ideas to life.

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts in this year’s survey!