New Zealand diabetes and kidney epidemic

The population of New Zealand is facing fresh warnings about the number of chronic kidney disease patients spurred on by the diabetes epidemic. If the tide is not stemmed, experts argue, the amount of patients with kidney disease could soar in the next few decades.
Of those patients in New Zealand who are suffering from end-stage renal disease, approximately 50 per cent face their condition because of diabetes. Chronic kidney disease is a major healthcare burden on New Zealand, accounting for approximately one third of New Zealand health costs.
Researchers in New Zealand are focusing on renal health, investigating ways in which the disease can be prevented and treated. The Renal Health Research Group are all experts on kidney function, and are aiming to apply therapies to prevent injury to the kidneys. The future of diabetics in the country will largely be affected by preventative and educational measures.