Positive Health Online

Up to Half Life-Threatening Kidney Disease Cases Remain Undiagnosed

Significant under diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), now the ninth leading cause of death globally, is endangering millions of patients around the world and could be improved with the increased use of a simple urine test.

The stark healthcare message is laid out in a landmark series of research papers, published in The Lancet by a global team of experts who are now calling for a renewed focus on CKD diagnosis and treatments.

Chronic kidney disease, a long-term condition where the kidneys don't work as well as they should, currently affects 844 million adults worldwide and is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. It is estimated that around 7.2m people have CKD in the UK**.

Early diagnosis of CKD is critical for treatment success, and the condition can be detected using a simple and affordable urine test; however, the test isn’t routinely used across all healthcare settings, and often only when kidney disease has already progressed.

In mild and moderate stages of the disease, people rarely experience any symptoms. Symptoms may develop only in the most severe stages, close to the time when dialysis or kidney transplant may be required. Without successful treatment the condition can be fatal.

The lack of symptoms likely contributes to low rates of diagnosis and awareness. Currently it is estimated that around 30-50% of CKD cases are not diagnosed by a doctor in high-income countries like the UK, with the percentage of undiagnosed cases in middle and lower-income countries thought to be much higher. In some groups, the percentage of undiagnosed cases is particularly high: non-white people and women may be up to twice as likely to remain undiagnosed as white men. Even among individuals who do have a diagnosis of CKD in their medical record, 9 in 10 are unaware they have the condition.

Despite being recognised by both the United Nations and the World Health Organization as a major global health concern in recent years, progress in improving the diagnosis of CKD remains slow.

A new landmark series of papers, authored by researchers from around the world and led by Dr Jennifer Lees from the University of Glasgow, detail the full extent of the healthcare burden caused by CKD, including its poor diagnosis rates and the complications and risks around delayed treatment.

Dr Jennifer Lees, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow and Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, said: “Chronic kidney disease remains one of the most concerning conditions currently impacting global health. The overriding message from our series of research papers is that there remains a pressing need for attention and resource to be focused on this condition.

“There is huge potential to improve early diagnosis, treatment and healthy lifespan by testing urine for protein routinely across a range of healthcare settings. This may be particularly important in those most at risk of under diagnosis, including non-white populations and women.” 

The three research papers also offer detailed insights into recent advances in CKD, including our increased understanding of the disease and its consequences for global health, as well as the opportunities provided by advances in treatment strategies. The research papers highlight the differences in treatments and diagnosis between men and women, alongside the need for integrated approaches to CKD prevention and treatments across a range of healthcare settings.

Alison Railton, director of policy at Kidney Research UK, said: “Kidney Research UK has shown that the failure to address the diagnosis crisis in the UK alone could result in as many as 650,000** more lives being blighted by advanced chronic kidney disease and the annual cost of CKD to the economy almost doubling to an eye-watering £13.9billion by 2033**. Governments need to prioritize resourcing health services to diagnose at-risk patients, such as those with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, earlier, and deliver urgent, preventative care, or millions of patients and economies worldwide will suffer the consequences."

The Lancet papers are released as up to 10,000 kidney experts arrived in Glasgow for the European Renal Association Congress on the 3-6 June. Chaired by Congress President Dr Kate Stevens, honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, and Congress Secretary Professor Patrick Mark, Professor of Nephrology at the University of Glasgow, the conference will bring together kidney experts from around Europe to discuss a range of conditions, including CKD.

There are many drivers of CKD, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular disease, with the risk of developing the disease increasing with age. While it can affect anyone, chronic kidney disease is more common in people who are black or of south Asian origin.

Compared to those without the condition, people with chronic kidney disease are more likely to be hospitalized, develop complications while in hospital, and also be re-admitted.

Professor Luxia Zhang from Peking University said: "Chronic kidney disease affects 844 million people worldwide, yet access to even basic kidney testing remains deeply uneven. Advances in biomarkers, biopsy, and genetic testing now allow us to understand why an individual has kidney disease, not just that they have it. Realizing this benefit for patients everywhere will require sustained investment in diagnostics, laboratory capacity, and workforce."

Adeera Levin, Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, said: “Simple tests like urine protein, and blood for creatinine (eGFR), along with blood pressure measurements, can increase early detection of CKD. We now have a terrific array of medications to delay or indeed stop kidney disease progressing, so that early identification is really important.

“This series hopefully stimulates readers to seek opportunities for early detection of CKD and then commencement of effective interventions to help reduce the global burden of disease.”

Reference

** Kidney disease: A UK public health emergency, The health economics of kidney disease to 2033. By Kidney Research UK and ZS Associates: https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Economics-of-Kidney-Disease-full-report_accessible.pdf

Further Information and Media Contact

Elizabeth McMeekin - University of Glasgow elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk or Ali Howard ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk

PAUSE Live and The House of Hormones Unite to Champion a New Era in Women’s Health

PAUSE Live, the leading health and menopause event in the UK, today announces a new strategic partnership with The House of Hormones, bringing together two purpose-led platforms with a shared ambition to transform how women access, understand and engage with their health.

PAUSE Live has built its reputation as a leading voice in menopause and midlife health, creating a space where women can access expert insight and practical solutions for their symptoms. Its mission is to break down stigma; raise awareness and empower women with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. The House of Hormones complements this through its focus on transparency and trust in hormonal health, offering evidence led recommendations shaped by real experiences, community insight, and rigorous product testing.

Together, the partnership represents a powerful alignment of values. Both organizations are committed to improving education, amplifying credible voices, and ensuring women feel seen and supported at every stage of life. Crucially, it reflects a broader understanding that women’s health challenges do not begin at menopause. Conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS impact women much earlier yet are often misunderstood or underdiagnosed. At a time when UK gynaecology waiting times are reported to average more than seven months, the need for accessible information and trusted guidance has never been greater.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with The House of Hormones. This collaboration represents the power of female founders coming together with a shared purpose to drive meaningful change. Together we are creating a platform that not only amplifies trusted voices but also gives women of all stages of life the confidence and clarity they need to take control of their health journeys.”

• Charlotte Body, Founder of PAUSE Live

As part of the collaboration, The House of Hormones will introduce the THOH Verified Zone [a community-driven trust mark awarded to wellness, skincare, and health products] at PAUSE Live. Designed as a destination within the event, the Verified Zone will enable attendees to discover the most trusted brands in hormonal health, hear directly from leading experts, and engage with conversations shaping the future of women’s wellbeing.

The space will feature a curated showcase of ten carefully selected brands that have achieved THOH inHouse Verified status. Each brand has been assessed and reviewed by real women through THOH inHouse Studies, ensuring that every product is backed by genuine experiences, honest feedback, and real-world results. The result is a trusted environment where attendees can explore with confidence and make informed choices about their health.

“From day one, The House of Hormones has been about making women feel more informed, more seen, and far less alone in their health journey. Partnering with PAUSE Live feels incredibly natural because at our core, we share the same mission, creating spaces where women can access expert information, feel genuinely supported, and be part of a bigger conversation around women’s health.

We are seeing a huge cultural shift in women’s health right now. Women are no longer willing to suffer in silence, accept vague answers, or feel dismissed when it comes to their wellbeing. They want better conversations, better support, and spaces where they feel genuinely seen.

THOH has always been about building a modern women’s health community, one that blends expert insight with honest conversation, shared experiences, and real support. By joining forces with PAUSE Live, we have an opportunity to bring that energy to an even bigger audience and create something women genuinely want to be part of.

This partnership is about more than just an event. It is about building a stronger collective voice for women, creating meaningful conversations around women’s health, and making sure women feel supported at every stage of life.”

• Leah Christian, Founder & CEO of The House of Hormones

This partnership signals a significant step forward in responding to the growing demand for better education, improved access, and greater transparency in women’s health. By combining their expertise and communities, PAUSE Live and The House of Hormones are helping to shape a more informed future for women everywhere.

References

Pause Live! | 10 October 2026 | House of Hormones

Hormones: Education and Support| The House of Hormones

Further Information and Media Contact

Please contact alena@mbodymedia.co.uk for press passes to PAUSE Live or any media enquiries

The Virchow Prize 2026 Awarded for Pioneering Work on Ebola, Advancing Global Epidemic Preparedness and Fostering Global Solidarity

Jean-Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot are being honoured with the international award of EUR500,000 for exceptional life-long leadership spanning five decades since the first outbreak of Ebola.

The Virchow Prize 2026 has been jointly awarded to Jean-Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot for their pioneering and enduring leadership in the discovery, control, and understanding of epidemic threats, and for advancing equitable, multilateral cooperation and governance that have fundamentally strengthened global preparedness and solidarity in the face of infectious disease outbreaks.

The announcement was made today by the Virchow Foundation which is granting the annual award. The selection of the laureates by the independent Virchow Prize Committee was preceded by a nomination period that ended on February 28, followed by a three-month deliberation period.

This moment resonates with particular historical gravity: 2026 marks both fifty years since the emergence of Ebola and a renewed confrontation with the virus through the current outbreak and unpreparedness.

According to the committee, the careers of Jean-Jacques Muyembe and Peter Piot are anchored in a defining moment of modern infectious disease history: the first identified Ebola outbreak in 1976. Their collaboration demonstrated the necessity of crossing contextual, disciplinary and geographic boundaries, highlighting both the potential and the inequities inherent in global health partnerships. Over the decades, both Muyembe and Piot have worked - partly closely together, partly independent from each other in complementary ways - to transform epidemic research in an exemplary manner, firmly rooted in equity, reciprocity, and shared leadership.

Taken together, the laureates' contributions illustrate a continuum that is central to advancing health for all: from discovery to delivery, from local response to global coordination, from emergency action to long-term system strengthening. Their work has directly improved the ability to detect, understand, and control deadly outbreaks, while also influencing broader frameworks for addressing global health challenges in a manner that is equitable and inclusive.

By awarding the Virchow Prize 2026 equally to Muyembe and Piot, their scientific achievements and their commitment to strengthening health systems and fostering global solidarity are honoured. The laureates' work embodies Rudolf Virchow's legacy that health is inseparable from social organisation, governance, and collective responsibility.

Full Article and detailed Virchow Prize Committee jury rationale at http://www.virchowprize.org/vp2026

Further Information and Media Contact:

Virchow Foundation | Dorotheenstr. 83 | DE-10117 Berlin, Germany  press@virchow.foundation

New Study Reveals Different Drivers Behind Rising Numbers of Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis And Motor Neuron Disease.

The growing number of people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neuron disease (MND) is being driven by different underlying factors, according to new research due to be presented at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress 2026 and published in Neurology.^1,2https://www.ean.org/congress2026

Researchers from France and Sweden analysed nationwide health data covering the entire populations of both countries to examine trends in the prevalence, incidence and life expectancy of people living with PD, MS and MND between 2003 and 2022. While the number of people living with all three conditions increased, the factors driving these trends differed substantially between diseases. 

MS prevalence appears to be increasing largely because people are living longer after diagnosis, likely reflecting advances in treatment and care. In contrast, MND was the only condition to show rising age-adjusted incidence, suggesting factors beyond population ageing may be contributing. For Parkinson’s disease, age-adjusted incidence declined over time, indicating that historical increases in prevalence have been driven mainly by improved survival rather than increasing disease risk.

While crude incidence of PD and MS remained largely stable throughout the study period, both crude and age-adjusted incidence increased for MND. Life expectancy also improved for people living with MS and MND. For PD, life expectancy increased between 2003 and 2013 before declining in later years.

Lead author Dr Thomas Nedelec, from Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute, said,“The fastest-growing disease in terms of prevalence is multiple sclerosis. Importantly, this rise does not appear to be driven by increasing incidence, but by improved life expectancy among patients.” 

Discussing the possible reasons behind improved MS survival, Dr Nedelec added, “For multiple sclerosis, advances in immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies may have contributed substantially by reducing disease activity and improving long-term outcomes.”

For MND, researchers say population ageing explains much of the increase in incidence, but not all of it. Greater awareness and improvements in diagnosis may have contributed to more cases being identified, although the possibility of changing environmental or lifestyle-related risk factors cannot yet be ruled out.

For PD, the picture appears more complex. Once the effects of population ageing were taken into account, the number of new cases declined over time. Researchers suggest this pattern may reflect better disease management and improved treatment of related health conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease.

Dr Nedelec explained, “There are several important messages here. The number of people living with these neurological conditions continues to rise substantially, but this does not appear to be driven by a major increase in new cases. That is reassuring from a public health perspective, as it suggests we are not seeing a dramatic rise in population-level risk.”

The findings highlight the importance of understanding the different mechanisms driving disease prevalence, as rising survival and increasing incidence have very different implications for healthcare planning, service provision and disease prevention.

Looking ahead, the research team are calling for a coordinated European effort to better understand long-term neurological disease trends.

“We see a clear need for a large-scale European initiative that reproduces this type of analysis across the continent,” Dr Nedelec concluded. “This would help us better understand differences between countries and improve our understanding of the factors driving these diseases.”

References

1. Guinebretière O, Yang F, Fang F, NedelecT. Drivers of Rising Prevalence in Major Motor Neurodegenerative Diseases: Temporal Trends in Sweden and France (2003–2022).Presented at the 12th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), Geneva, Switzerland, 2026.
2. Guinebretière O, Yang F, Wei D, et al. Drivers of rising prevalence in major motor neurodegenerative diseases: temporal trends in Sweden and France (2003–2022). Neurology. 2026;107(1):e218072.

About the Expert:

Thomas Nedelec is a Research Scientist (PI) and epidemiologist at the Paris Brain Institute, and a founding member of its Center for AI and Data Science for Neurological Disorders. His research applies statistical and data science methods to large real-world health databases, focusing on the comparative epidemiology of neurological disorders and their early "prodromal" phase. To support this work, he has developed a robust framework that enables consistent analyses across international consortia.

About the EAN:

The EAN is a non-profit, independent organisation representing more than 45,000 members, as well as 48 European national societies. As a medical society we promote excellence in the practice of general neurology throughout Europe, leading to improved patient care.

We also aim to keep Europe at the forefront of neurological research and maintain its position as one of the world’s leading scientific hotspots in neurology.

Further Information and Media Contact

To learn more please contact the EAN  press@ean.org.   https://www.ean.org/