http://www.nih.gov/news/health/oct2008/niddk-08.htm

Annual Report Targets Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States

A 30 percent increase in chronic kidney disease over the past decade has prompted the U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) to issue for the first time a separate report documenting the magnitude of the disease, which affects an estimated 27 million Americans and accounts for more than 24 percent of Medicare costs.

cross-posted
http://itchmoforums.com/recall-nonpet-food/melamine-suspected-chinese-officials-say-baby-formula-tied-to-kidney-stones-t6256.0.html;msg92169#msg92169