Screening for CKD to halt its growing burden in Europe: a political proposal by the Italian Society of Nephrology

The year 2025 was crucial for Nephrology: both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) formally recognized chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a global health priority among noncommunicable diseases in May and December 2025, respectively. This important milestone is expected to increase worldwide awareness of the urgent need to address the growing burden of CKD. Nephrology is currently undergoing a major paradigm shift: a "back to the future" transition from replacing kidney function through dialysis to preserving kidney function through nephroprotective strategies, which reflects the original mission of the specialty. Nowadays, remission of CKD is increasingly achievable; however, low awareness of CKD among both the general population and non-nephrologists remains a key barrier to optimal kidney disease management. Screening for CKD represents the most effective strategy recommended by international health institutions. The Italian Society of Nephrology (SIN) has therefore developed a screening program to be implemented in Italian primary care offices, combined with educational activities focused on CKD identification and management. The proposal is currently under discussion in the Italian Parliament. On April 15th, 2026, representatives of SIN met members of the European Parliament in Brussels during a closed-door meeting aimed at encouraging the European Parliament and Health Commissions to place CKD firmly on the European health agenda and to promote guidance for Member States supporting the development and implementation of national CKD screening programs in the primary care setting.