Kidney disease is among Michigan’s most pervasive and costly public health challenges. More than one million adults in the state live with chronic kidney disease (CKD) — the majority without a formal diagnosis — while roughly 4,000 Michigan residents reach kidney failure each year, a life-altering threshold requiring dialysis or a transplant to survive. Nearly 2,000 more die annually from kidney-related causes, and Michigan’s age-adjusted kidney disease mortality rate has nearly doubled over the past four decades.
This article compiles comprehensive statistics on CKD prevalence, annual and county-level mortality trends from 1980 to 2024, end-stage renal disease (ESKD) incidence and causes, dialysis demographics, kidney transplant activity, hospital utilization, kidney cancer, and the financial and demographic factors that determine who carries the heaviest burden. All figures are Michigan-specific unless otherwise noted, drawn from state and federal public health sources.
Understanding this data matters because a large share of Michigan’s kidney disease burden is preventable. An estimated 70% of kidney failure cases linked to diabetes and high blood pressure — which together account for more than three-quarters of all ESKD — could be prevented or meaningfully delayed with earlier intervention. Racial and socioeconomic disparities run through every layer of the data, from dialysis rates to transplant access to financial hardship, making this a challenge that demands both clinical and policy responses.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Prevalence
CKD affects a large and growing share of Michigan’s adult population. The data below reflects self-reported diagnosis rates and population estimates across multiple reporting periods.
- Michigan adults with CKD (age 20+): more than 1 million (~1 in 7)
- Earlier Michigan CKD estimate: ~940,000 (~1 in 8)
- Self-reported diagnosis rate (2019): 3.4%
- Self-reported diagnosis rate (2024): 4.5%
- Michigan ranking among U.S. states: 37th (at 4.5%)
- U.S. total CKD population: ~35.5 million (more than 1 in 7 adults)
Michigan’s CKD self-reported prevalence rate has risen by more than 30% over five years (2019–2024). With more than a million adults affected, CKD represents an expanding public health challenge, particularly given its direct connection to leading causes of death such as cardiovascular disease and kidney failure.
Risk Factors
The core risk factors for CKD and ESKD are highly prevalent in Michigan’s adult population.
- Diabetes (diagnosed): 11.1%
- High Blood Pressure: 35.1%
- Obesity (self-reported): 36%
With more than one-third of Michigan’s population living with high blood pressure and another third reporting obesity — both major risk factors for diabetes and kidney disease — the upstream drivers of Michigan’s kidney disease burden are pervasive..
Racial Disparities in Kidney Disease
Kidney disease disproportionately affects Michigan’s Black population at every stage, from dialysis to transplant.
| Group | Share of Michigan General Population | Share of Dialysis Population | Share of Transplant Waiting List |
| African Americans | ~14% | 45% | 46% |
Among patients receiving American Kidney Fund charitable assistance:
- Black: 34.7%
- Hispanic/Latino: 20.9%
- Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander: 5.2%
The overrepresentation of Black Michiganders in dialysis and on the transplant waiting list represents one of the most stark health disparities in the state. These inequities reflect higher rates of diabetes and hypertension in Black communities, compounded by socioeconomic barriers to preventive care and early treatment.
Kidney Failure (ESKD)
Michiganders Living with Kidney Failure, 2021–2023
Kidney failure (end-stage renal disease, ESKD) is fatal without treatment. The table below tracks the Michigan ESKD population in recent years.
| Year | Total Living with Kidney Failure | On Dialysis | With Kidney Transplant |
| 2023 | 23,931 | 16,022 (67.0%) | 7,909 (33.0%) |
| 2022 | 24,328 | 16,368 (67.3%) | 7,960 (32.7%) |
| 2021 | 23,957 | 16,098 (67.2%) | 7,859 (32.8%) |
Additional context:
- The total number of Michiganders living with kidney failure has increased by 33.6% since 2009 and by 16.6% since 2010
- As of January 25, 2026, 2,324 people in Michigan were waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant
Michigan’s ESKD population has remained relatively stable between 2021 and 2023 near 24,000, with roughly two-thirds depending on dialysis and one-third living with a transplant. The longer-term growth of over 33% since 2009 reflects both rising incidence of ESKD risk factors and improved patient survival.
New Cases of Kidney Failure
Thousands of Michigan residents are newly diagnosed with kidney failure each year, requiring immediate initiation of treatment.
| Diagnosis Year | New Cases | Began Dialysis | Received Transplant |
| 2020 | 3,955 | 3,831 | 124 |
| 2019 | 3,992 | 3,855 | 137 |
| 2018 | 4,002 | 3,883 | 119 |
Roughly 4,000 Michigan residents are newly diagnosed with kidney failure annually. The vast majority begin dialysis rather than receiving a kidney transplant at diagnosis, reflecting the severe shortage of donor organs relative to new patient need.
Leading Causes of Kidney Failure
Diabetes and high blood pressure are far and away the dominant causes of kidney failure in Michigan.
| Cause | % of Cases (2022 data) | % of Cases (2023 data) |
| Diabetes | 47% | 47% |
| High Blood Pressure | 28% | 30% |
| Combined | 75% | 77% |
Additional historical context:
- In 2014, diabetes and high blood pressure combined caused more than 71% of all kidney failure cases; diabetes alone caused 42%
- An estimated 70% of kidney failure cases attributable to diabetes and/or high blood pressure could have been prevented or delayed
- Michigan’s decline in ESKD incidence among diabetic patients from 2017 to 2023 was 17% — more than double the national decline of 7.9% over the same period
Nearly half of all Michigan kidney failure cases stem from diabetes. The fact that 70% of diabetes- and hypertension-related ESKD is considered preventable makes CKD a high-priority target for public health intervention. Michigan’s significantly faster rate of ESKD decline among diabetic patients compared to the national average is a meaningful positive development.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney Cancer Mortality
Kidney and renal pelvis cancer is among the top causes of cancer death in Michigan. The table below presents 2021 mortality data by age group.
| Age Group | Deaths (2021) | Age-Adjusted Rate (per 100,000) |
| All Ages | 447 | 3.3 ± 0.3 |
| Under 50 | 18 | 0.3 ± 0.1 |
| Age 50–74 | 252 | 8.0 ± 1.0 |
| Age 75 and Over | 177 | 25.1 ± 3.7 |
Projected for Michigan in 2026
- New cases: 2,400
- Deaths: 480
Kidney cancer mortality is most concentrated in the 50–74 age group (56% of all deaths in 2021), though the per-capita rate is highest for those 75 and older. The 2026 projections show continued growth in both cases and deaths. Despite being serious, kidney cancer mortality (age-adjusted rate 3.3) is substantially lower than the overall kidney disease mortality rate from CKD/ESKD (14.4 per 100,000 in 2024), illustrating that cancer represents only a fraction of Michigan’s total kidney disease burden.
Late-Stage Kidney Cancer Incidence by County (Females, 2018–2022)
The table below presents age-adjusted incidence rates for late-stage kidney and renal pelvis cancer among females in Michigan’s major counties.
| County | Rate per 100,000 (95% CI) | Avg. Annual Count | % Late Stage |
| Michigan | 2.9 (2.7–3.1) | 206 | 26.8% |
| US | 3.1 (3.1–3.1) | 6,720 | 26.4% |
| Lapeer | 5.2 (2.8–9.0) | 3 | 39.0% |
| Jackson | 4.1 (2.6–6.2) | 5 | 32.9% |
| Eaton | 3.7 (2.1–6.3) | 3 | 38.1% |
| Kent | 3.3 (2.5–4.2) | 12 | 31.4% |
| St. Clair | 3.4 (2.0–5.6) | 4 | 26.0% |
| Saginaw | 3.4 (2.1–5.4) | 5 | 27.3% |
| Berrien | 3.4 (1.9–5.6) | 4 | 24.7% |
| Monroe | 3.2 (1.9–5.1) | 4 | 33.9% |
| Macomb | 3.2 (2.6–4.0) | 19 | 26.2% |
| Livingston | 3.2 (2.0–4.9) | 5 | 30.9% |
| Kalamazoo | 3.2 (2.0–4.8) | 5 | 32.4% |
| Wayne | 3.1 (2.7–3.6) | 37 | 26.3% |
| Muskegon | 3.1 (1.8–5.0) | 4 | 23.5% |
| Ingham | 2.8 (1.8–4.2) | 5 | 22.6% |
| Oakland | 2.5 (2.1–3.0) | 23 | 25.1% |
| Washtenaw | 2.2 (1.4–3.3) | 5 | 24.5% |
| Genesee | 2.2 (1.5–3.2) | 6 | 21.1% |
| Ottawa | 2.0 (1.2–3.2) | 4 | 25.3% |
Michigan’s overall late-stage kidney cancer incidence rate for females (2.9 per 100,000) is slightly below the national rate (3.1). Lapeer County has both the highest rate (5.2) and the highest late-stage proportion (39.0%) among reported counties, suggesting potential gaps in early detection. Monroe and Eaton Counties also show notably high late-stage proportions (33.9% and 38.1%), while Muskegon, Genesee, and Ingham Counties have lower proportions, possibly reflecting better screening access.
Kidney Cancer as a Proportion of All Cancer Cases and Deaths
Michigan cancer statistics reveal kidney cancer’s relative share of the overall cancer burden.
New cancer cases among males (2013–2017):
| Cancer Site | % of New Cases |
| Prostate | 24.7% |
| Lung & Bronchus | 15.2% |
| Colorectal | 9.1% |
| Melanoma | 5.0% |
| Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma | 4.8% |
| Kidney & Renal Pelvis | 4.8% |
| Oral Cavity & Pharynx | 3.9% |
| Urinary Bladder | 3.9% |
| Leukemia | 3.5% |
| Pancreas | 3.2% |
| All Other Sites | 21.9% |
New Cancer Cases among Females (2013–2017)
- Breast: 29.1%
- Lung & Bronchus: 14.4%
- Colorectal: 8.8%
- Uterine: 7.1%
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: 4.0%
- Melanoma: 3.8%
- Pancreas: 3.0%
- Kidney & Renal Pelvis: 2.7%
- Ovary: 2.6%
- Leukemia: 2.5%
- All Other Sites: 22.0%
Cancer Deaths among Males (2014–2018)
- Lung & Bronchus: 27.5%
- Prostate: 8.9%
- Colorectal: 8.3%
- Pancreas: 7.4%
- Liver & Intrahepatic Bile Duct: 4.8%
- Leukemia: 4.4%
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: 3.9%
- Urinary Bladder: 3.8%
- Brain & Other CNS: 3.0%
- Kidney & Renal Pelvis: 2.9%
- All Other Sites: 25.2%
Kidney Cancer by Race (New Cases, 2013–2017)
- Black: 4.3%
- White: not in top 5 cancers
Kidney and renal pelvis cancer ranks 6th for males (tied at 4.8% with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma) and 8th for females (2.7%) among all new cancer cases. Its share of male cancer deaths (2.9%) places it 10th among all cancer death causes. A notable racial disparity exists: kidney cancer ranks among the top cancers for Black Michiganders (4.3% of new cases), but does not appear in the top 5 for White Michiganders, signaling a need for targeted screening and awareness in Black communities.
Kidney Disease Among Cancer Survivors
Cancer survivors face dramatically elevated rates of chronic kidney disease compared to the general population. The following table compares the prevalence of chronic conditions among Michigan adults who have and have never had cancer (age-adjusted to 2000 U.S. population, 2018).
| Chronic Disease | Ever Had Cancer | Never Had Cancer |
| Kidney Disease | 15.2% | 2.7% |
| Cardiovascular Disease | 18.7% | 7.8% |
| Arthritis | 40.3% | 27.6% |
| Depression | 32.9% | 23.0% |
| Asthma | 28.9% | 15.7% |
| Obesity | 32.1% | 33.2% |
| COPD | 10.9% | 7.2% |
| Diabetes | 9.3% | 9.9% |
Michigan cancer survivors are more than five times as likely to have kidney disease as those who have never had cancer (15.2% vs. 2.7%) — the largest relative difference of any chronic disease listed. This reflects nephrotoxic effects of certain cancer treatments, shared genetic predispositions, and overlapping comorbidities. Routine kidney function monitoring in cancer survivors is clinically important.
Dialysis
Dialysis is life-sustaining treatment for ESKD patients. The following key statistics describe Michigan’s dialysis population.
- Michiganders on dialysis at any given time: 15,000–16,000+
- ESKD patients unable to work: >80%
- Deaths while on dialysis (one recent year): 2,790
- Share of dialysis deaths from cardiovascular causes: 45%
- Elevated cardiovascular death risk vs. kidney failure itself: 20× more likely
- Average annual out-of-pocket costs: >$10,000
- Average patient income: <$25,000
- Michigan kidney failure incidence rate (2004): 365 per million population
- U.S. kidney failure incidence rate (2004): 353 per million population
- Michigan residents starting treatment (2004): 3,695
- Patients on dialysis by year-end (2004): 11,002
- Patients having received a transplant by year-end (2004): 614
Dialysis represents an extraordinary burden of disability, cardiovascular risk, and financial hardship. The risk of death from cardiovascular complications — not kidney failure per se — is the foremost concern for dialysis patients, underscoring the need for comprehensive management of cardiovascular comorbidities alongside kidney replacement therapy.
Kidney Transplants
Michigan has eight active transplant programs serving adults and two serving pediatric patients.
Annual Transplants and Waiting List
Transplantation is the preferred long-term treatment for eligible ESKD patients, but supply remains far below demand.
| Year | Transplants Performed | Living Donor | Deceased Donor | On Waiting List |
| 2022 | 583 | 136 | 447 | 2,042 |
| 2021 | 519 | 132 | 387 | 2,186 |
| 2020 | 505 | — | — | 2,165 |
| 2019 (new cases only) | — | 137 received at diagnosis | — | — |
Key trends:
- In 2020, 2021, and 2022, only about 1 in 4 Michiganders on the transplant waiting list received a transplant
- Living donor transplants fell by 24.6% compared to 2011 (per 2022 data) and by 35.2% compared to 2012 (per 2023 data)
- The 2022 transplant total represents a nearly 0.5% decrease from 2012
- As of April 1, 2019, 2,303 people were on Michigan’s transplant waiting list; by January 25, 2026, that figure was 2,324
Despite incremental growth in total transplants, the gap between waiting list size and annual transplants has persisted for years. The sharp decline in living donor transplants — down over one-third since 2012 — is particularly concerning. Living donation typically yields superior graft outcomes compared to deceased donation, and reversing this trend would have significant clinical impact.
Michigan Kidney Transplant Centers — NKR Activity
The National Kidney Registry (NKR) facilitates kidney paired donations, expanding the pool of compatible living donors. The following reflects NKR activity for the prior year (April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026).
| Center | NKR Transplants (Last 12 Mo.) | Living Donor Transplants (Prior Year) | NKR as % of LD Transplants |
| Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital | 22 | 39 | 59% |
| Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital | 2 | 5 | 40% |
| Children’s Hospital of Michigan | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Harper University Hospital Detroit Medical Center | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Henry Ford Hospital | 0 | 35 | 0% |
| St. John Hospital and Medical Center | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| University of Michigan Medical Center | 0 | 65 | 0% |
| William Beaumont Hospital | 0 | 22 | 0% |
| TOTALS | 24 | 172 | 15% |
Trinity Health Grand Rapids accounts for the vast majority of Michigan’s NKR exchange activity (22 of 24 NKR transplants). The University of Michigan Medical Center leads the state in total living donor transplants (65) but does not participate in NKR exchanges. Overall, NKR paired donations represent only 15% of Michigan’s living donor activity — a figure that suggests significant unrealized potential for expanding paired-donation programs statewide.
Transplant Outcomes — Adult Centers
The following table summarizes graft and patient survival rates at Michigan’s adult kidney transplant programs.
| Center | LD Transplants | LD 1-Yr Graft | LD 1-Yr Patient | DD 1-Yr Graft | DD 1-Yr Patient |
| Trinity Health Grand Rapids | 39 | 99% | 99% | 94% | 95% |
| Henry Ford Hospital | 35 | 97% | 99% | 94% | 96% |
| St. John Hospital and Medical Center | 4 | 90% | 89% | 93% | 93% |
| University of Michigan Medical Center | 65 | 98% | 98% | 90% | 97% |
| William Beaumont Hospital | 22 | 100% | 100% | 93% | 96% |
LD = Living Donor | DD = Deceased Donor
Living donor outcomes at Michigan’s adult centers are strong across the board, with 1-year graft survival ranging from 90–100%. William Beaumont achieves 100% one-year living donor graft and patient survival and notably the best deceased donor 3-year graft survival (92%). Trinity Health Grand Rapids leads in 3-year living donor graft survival (97%). The University of Michigan Medical Center, while seeing the highest volume of living donor transplants, shows more modest 3-year deceased donor graft survival (84%), consistent with national patterns where volume centers handle more complex cases.
Transplant Outcomes — Pediatric Centers
Michigan has two pediatric kidney transplant programs, both achieving excellent results.
| Center | LD Transplants | LD 1-Yr Graft | LD 1-Yr Patient | DD 1-Yr Graft | DD 1-Yr Patient |
| Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital | 5 | 100% | 100% | 89% | 100% |
| University of Michigan Medical Center | 65 | 100% | 100% | 94% | 100% |
LD = Living Donor | DD = Deceased Donor
Both of Michigan’s pediatric transplant centers achieve 100% living donor graft and patient survival at both 1 and 3 years — exceptional results that compare favorably with any program nationally. Deceased donor outcomes are also strong, with the University of Michigan achieving 94% 1-year graft survival in pediatric deceased donor cases.
Hospital Discharges
Hospital utilization data provides a complementary view of the treatment burden from kidney disease.
| Year | Hospital Discharges | Rate (per 100,000) | Average Length of Stay (days) |
| 2022 | 16,544 | 16.5 | 6.1 |
| 2021 | 16,110 | 16.0 | 5.7 |
| 2020 | 16,579 | 16.5 | 5.5 |
| 2019 | 20,535 | 20.6 | 5.3 |
| 2018 | 21,970 | 22.0 | 5.0 |
| 2017 | 20,705 | 20.8 | 5.1 |
| 2016 | 22,039 | 22.2 | 5.0 |
| 2015 | 21,324 | 21.5 | 5.1 |
| 2014 | 20,110 | 20.3 | 5.2 |
| 2013 | 19,557 | 19.7 | 5.3 |
| 2012 | 19,078 | 19.3 | 5.4 |
Hospital discharges for kidney disease dropped sharply between 2019 and 2020 — from 20,535 to 16,579 — a decrease attributable in large part to disrupted care access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates have remained approximately 4,000 lower per year since 2020 compared to 2015–2019. However, average length of stay has simultaneously increased from 5.0 days (2016–2018) to 6.1 days in 2022, indicating that patients who were hospitalized in recent years tended to have more severe or complex presentations.
Kidney Disease Mortality
Annual Deaths and Age-Adjusted Rates, 1980–2024
Note: The manner in which underlying cause of death is coded and classified was revised in 1999 to reflect changing medical opinion and practice. The comparability ratio between the pre- and post-1999 classification schemes for kidney disease is 1.23, meaning specific inferences from comparisons across the 1999 boundary should be made with caution.
The table below presents total kidney disease deaths and age-adjusted mortality rates (per 100,000 Michigan residents) for each year from 1980 to 2024.
| Year | Total Deaths | Age-Adjusted Rate (per 100,000) |
| 2024 | 1,966 | 14.4 ± 0.7 |
| 2023 | 1,892 | 14.3 ± 0.7 |
| 2022 | 2,091 | 16.2 ± 0.7 |
| 2021 | 1,963 | 15.5 ± 0.7 |
| 2020 | 1,940 | 15.2 ± 0.7 |
| 2019 | 1,846 | 14.2 ± 0.7 |
| 2018 | 1,943 | 15.1 ± 0.7 |
| 2017 | 1,871 | 14.7 ± 0.7 |
| 2016 | 1,807 | 14.4 ± 0.7 |
| 2015 | 1,907 | 15.5 ± 0.7 |
| 2014 | 1,844 | 15.2 ± 0.7 |
| 2013 | 1,665 | 14.0 ± 0.7 |
| 2012 | 1,585 | 13.6 ± 0.7 |
| 2011 | 1,623 | 14.1 ± 0.7 |
| 2010 | 1,724 | 15.3 ± 0.7 |
| 2009 | 1,699 | 15.4 ± 0.7 |
| 2008 | 1,659 | 15.1 ± 0.7 |
| 2007 | 1,611 | 15.0 ± 0.7 |
| 2006 | 1,594 | 15.1 ± 0.7 |
| 2005 | 1,655 | 16.0 ± 0.8 |
| 2004 | 1,511 | 14.8 ± 0.7 |
| 2003 | 1,655 | 16.5 ± 0.8 |
| 2002 | 1,606 | 16.3 ± 0.8 |
| 2001 | 1,538 | 15.8 ± 0.8 |
| 2000 | 1,479 | 15.4 ± 0.8 |
| 1999 | 1,416 | 15.0 ± 0.8 |
| 1998 | 1,087 | 11.7 ± 0.7 |
| 1997 | 1,095 | 12.0 ± 0.7 |
| 1996 | 1,000 | 11.2 ± 0.7 |
| 1995 | 928 | 10.5 ± 0.7 |
| 1994 | 908 | 10.5 ± 0.7 |
| 1993 | 948 | 11.1 ± 0.7 |
| 1992 | 887 | 10.7 ± 0.7 |
| 1991 | 800 | 9.8 ± 0.7 |
| 1990 | 785 | 9.9 ± 0.7 |
| 1989 | 789 | 10.1 ± 0.7 |
| 1988 | 852 | 11.1 ± 0.8 |
| 1987 | 810 | 10.7 ± 0.7 |
| 1986 | 840 | 11.3 ± 0.8 |
| 1985 | 725 | 9.8 ± 0.7 |
| 1984 | 684 | 9.4 ± 0.7 |
| 1983 | 704 | 9.9 ± 0.7 |
| 1982 | 709 | 10.2 ± 0.8 |
| 1981 | 665 | 9.7 ± 0.8 |
| 1980 | 626 | 9.1 ± 0.7 |
Total kidney disease deaths more than tripled from 626 in 1980 to a peak of 2,091 in 2022. The age-adjusted rate, which controls for population aging, rose from 9.1 to a post-1999 high of 16.5 in 2003. The 2022 spike likely reflects COVID-19-related complications disproportionately affecting those with underlying kidney conditions. Rates have since moderated but remain well above pre-2000 levels.
Mortality by Age Group, 1980–2024
The following table shows death counts and age-specific rates (per 100,000) for three age groups across the full data series.
| Year | Deaths <50 | Rate <50 | Deaths 50–74 | Rate 50–74 | Deaths 75+ | Rate 75+ |
| 2024 | 74 | 1.2 ± 0.3 | 691 | 22.2 ± 1.7 | 1,201 | 148.8 ± 8.4 |
| 2023 | 61 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 667 | 21.4 ± 1.6 | 1,164 | 150.7 ± 8.7 |
| 2022 | 78 | 1.3 ± 0.3 | 732 | 23.3 ± 1.7 | 1,281 | 173.1 ± 9.5 |
| 2021 | 80 | 1.3 ± 0.3 | 689 | 21.8 ± 1.6 | 1,194 | 169.5 ± 9.6 |
| 2020 | 80 | 1.3 ± 0.3 | 730 | 23.3 ± 1.7 | 1,130 | 162.0 ± 9.4 |
| 2019 | 67 | 1.1 ± 0.3 | 635 | 20.6 ± 1.6 | 1,144 | 157.7 ± 9.1 |
| 2018 | 62 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 648 | 21.1 ± 1.6 | 1,233 | 174.1 ± 9.7 |
| 2017 | 59 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 616 | 20.1 ± 1.6 | 1,196 | 174.2 ± 9.9 |
| 2016 | 67 | 1.1 ± 0.3 | 548 | 18.0 ± 1.5 | 1,192 | 177.3 ± 10.1 |
| 2015 | 59 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 603 | 20.0 ± 1.6 | 1,245 | 187.9 ± 10.4 |
| 2014 | 53 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 508 | 17.1 ± 1.5 | 1,283 | 195.1 ± 10.7 |
| 2013 | 48 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 455 | 15.5 ± 1.4 | 1,162 | 178.5 ± 10.3 |
| 2012 | 51 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 455 | 15.8 ± 1.5 | 1,079 | 167.1 ± 10.0 |
| 2011 | 54 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 430 | 15.3 ± 1.4 | 1,139 | 177.5 ± 10.3 |
| 2010 | 55 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 462 | 16.8 ± 1.5 | 1,207 | 189.2 ± 10.7 |
| 2009 | 71 | 1.1 ± 0.3 | 462 | 17.2 ± 1.6 | 1,166 | 184.3 ± 10.6 |
| 2008 | 64 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 450 | 17.2 ± 1.6 | 1,145 | 181.0 ± 10.5 |
| 2007 | 69 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 415 | 16.3 ± 1.6 | 1,127 | 178.6 ± 10.4 |
| 2006 | 60 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 415 | 16.7 ± 1.6 | 1,119 | 178.7 ± 10.5 |
| 2005 | 78 | 1.1 ± 0.2 | 453 | 18.7 ± 1.7 | 1,124 | 181.5 ± 10.6 |
| 2004 | 56 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 389 | 16.5 ± 1.6 | 1,066 | 173.9 ± 10.4 |
| 2003 | 71 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 446 | 19.4 ± 1.8 | 1,138 | 187.4 ± 10.9 |
| 2002 | 77 | 1.1 ± 0.2 | 428 | 19.1 ± 1.8 | 1,101 | 184.2 ± 10.9 |
| 2001 | 81 | 1.1 ± 0.2 | 407 | 18.5 ± 1.8 | 1,050 | 178.5 ± 10.8 |
| 2000 | 64 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 420 | 19.5 ± 1.9 | 994 | 171.6 ± 10.7 |
| 1999 | 81 | 1.1 ± 0.2 | 401 | 19.1 ± 1.9 | 934 | 164.1 ± 10.5 |
| 1998 | 44 | 0.6 ± 0.2 | 285 | 13.8 ± 1.6 | 758 | 135.6 ± 9.7 |
| 1997 | 61 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 303 | 14.9 ± 1.7 | 731 | 133.6 ± 9.7 |
| 1996 | 49 | 0.7 ± 0.2 | 254 | 12.8 ± 1.6 | 697 | 130.5 ± 9.7 |
| 1995 | 46 | 0.6 ± 0.2 | 262 | 13.3 ± 1.6 | 620 | 119.5 ± 9.4 |
| 1994 | 44 | 0.6 ± 0.2 | 280 | 14.4 ± 1.7 | 584 | 115.3 ± 9.4 |
| 1993 | 55 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 301 | 15.6 ± 1.8 | 592 | 119.6 ± 9.6 |
| 1992 | 59 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 242 | 12.7 ± 1.6 | 586 | 121.6 ± 9.8 |
| 1991 | 58 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 246 | 13.0 ± 1.6 | 496 | 105.9 ± 9.3 |
| 1990 | 64 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 232 | 12.4 ± 1.6 | 489 | 107.8 ± 9.6 |
| 1989 | 55 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 259 | 13.8 ± 1.7 | 475 | 107.4 ± 9.7 |
| 1988 | 69 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 277 | 14.8 ± 1.7 | 506 | 117.4 ± 10.2 |
| 1987 | 46 | 0.7 ± 0.2 | 285 | 15.2 ± 1.8 | 479 | 114.0 ± 10.2 |
| 1986 | 63 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 281 | 15.0 ± 1.8 | 496 | 120.9 ± 10.6 |
| 1985 | 68 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 259 | 13.8 ± 1.7 | 398 | 98.9 ± 9.7 |
| 1984 | 59 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 244 | 13.0 ± 1.6 | 381 | 96.6 ± 9.7 |
| 1983 | 57 | 0.8 ± 0.2 | 245 | 13.1 ± 1.6 | 402 | 104.3 ± 10.2 |
| 1982 | 70 | 1.0 ± 0.2 | 223 | 11.8 ± 1.5 | 416 | 110.6 ± 10.6 |
| 1981 | 60 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 241 | 12.7 ± 1.6 | 364 | 99.0 ± 10.2 |
| 1980 | 60 | 0.9 ± 0.2 | 238 | 12.5 ± 1.6 | 328 | 91.5 ± 9.9 |
Adults aged 75 and older dominate kidney disease mortality in every year. In 2024 they accounted for 1,201 of 1,966 total deaths (61%), at a rate nearly 7 times higher than the 50–74 age group. The 75+ rate peaked at 195.1 per 100,000 in 2014 and has since declined noticeably, while the 50–74 rate has climbed from around 12–13 per 100,000 in the early 1980s to over 22 in recent years. The under-50 rate has remained consistently below 1.3 throughout the entire period.
Financial Burden
American Kidney Fund Assistance to Michigan Patients
The American Kidney Fund (AKF) provides grants to assist low-income dialysis and transplant patients with insurance premiums and other healthcare costs not covered by insurance.
| Year | Michigan Patients Assisted | Total Assistance |
| 2022 | 2,328 | $9,501,836 |
| 2021 | 2,669 | $10,955,351 |
| 2020 | 3,046 | $11,400,000 |
AKF provided roughly $10–11 million per year in charitable assistance to Michigan kidney patients in 2020–2021, declining somewhat in 2022. The number of patients assisted also declined from 3,046 in 2020 to 2,328 in 2022, which may reflect shifting case characteristics or grant eligibility criteria following the pandemic period.
Insurance of AKF Assistance Recipients
The following tables show the insurance breakdown of Americans receiving AKF charitable premium assistance in 2021 and 2022.
2022
- Medicare Part B: 40.9%
- Medigap: 27.2%
- Employer Group Health Plans (incl. COBRA): 17.7%
2021
- Medicare Part B: 36.8%
- Medigap: 31.1%
- Employer Group Health Plans (incl. COBRA): 18.9%
- Commercial Plans: 10.5%
- Exchange: 3.4%
- Annuity: 1.5%
- Medicare Advantage: 1.2%
- Medicaid (states with premiums): 0.1%
Medicare Part B is the dominant insurer among AKF assistance recipients, consistent with the federal rule that ESKD qualifies patients for Medicare regardless of age. The high representation of Medigap (supplemental Medicare) policyholders underscores the significant out-of-pocket costs even for Medicare-covered patients. With average patient incomes below $25,000 per year and annual out-of-pocket costs exceeding $10,000, financial toxicity is a defining feature of ESKD care.
Conclusion
The data presented in this article points to a kidney disease burden that is large, entrenched, and unevenly distributed. Michigan’s annual kidney disease death toll has grown from 626 in 1980 to nearly 2,000 in recent years, and roughly 24,000 Michiganders are currently living with kidney failure — a number that has grown by more than a third since 2009. Despite incremental gains in specific areas, such as a faster-than-national decline in ESKD among diabetic patients, the overall picture is one of sustained and growing demand on Michigan’s healthcare system.
The disparities embedded in that picture are especially striking. African Americans make up 14% of Michigan’s population but 45% of its dialysis patients and 46% of its transplant waiting list — an overrepresentation that reflects deeper inequities in diabetes and hypertension burden, healthcare access, and socioeconomic conditions. Financial hardship compounds medical vulnerability: the average dialysis patient earns less than $25,000 per year while spending more than $10,000 out of pocket annually. At the same time, the transplant system remains chronically undersupplied, with only about one in four waiting-list patients receiving a transplant in any given year, and living donor activity declining by more than a third since 2012.
The evidence also points clearly to where intervention can make the greatest difference. With diabetes and high blood pressure causing more than three-quarters of kidney failure cases, and with 70% of those cases considered preventable, upstream prevention remains the highest-leverage opportunity. Stronger early detection, equitable access to CKD management, targeted outreach to high-risk communities, and expanded organ donation programs would each translate directly into fewer Michigan residents requiring dialysis, fewer deaths, and a reduced burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Sources:
- Kidney Disease Deaths and Death Rates Michigan Residents, 1989-2024
- Kidney Disease Deaths and Death Rates Michigan Residents, 1989-2024
- Explore Chronic Kidney Disease in Michigan | AHR
- Kidney Disease Mortality | Stats of the States | CDC
- Kidney disease mortality–Michigan, 1989-2005 – PubMed
- March 2026: Kidney Month
- Kidney Disease | National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
- Kidney failure in Michigan: 2022
- Kidney Disease–Michigan Discharge Trends, 2012-2022
- Kidney failure in Michigan: 2023
- Topic: Diabetes and Kidney Disease
- in Michigan
- Chronic Kidney Disease Fact Sheet
- State Cancer Profiles > Incidence Rates Table
- Michigan Cancer Incidence by Primary Site and Age at Death 2021
- Kidney And Renal Pelvis | American Cancer Society
- Cancer in Michigan 2020
- Kidney Transplant Centers in Michigan