Kidney disease surges among Sri Lanka’s young men

Rising temperatures and contaminated water have led to an epidemic of kidney disease among young men in Sri Lanka's farming and fishing communities.

Apoorva Mandavilli reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• Young men in Sri Lanka’s rural areas are experiencing high rates of kidney disease, requiring dialysis or transplants.
• The disease is likely caused by extreme heat, worsened by climate change, and pesticide-contaminated water.
• Many affected communities lack access to clean water and rely on well water for daily use, exacerbating the problem.

Key quote:

“Sri Lanka has made the perfect case for how climate change is affecting people in real time.”

— Nishad Jayasundara, expert in global environmental health at Duke University.

Why this matters:

Kidney disease linked to climate change and water contamination is affecting vulnerable communities globally. Addressing these environmental health risks is crucial to prevent widespread health crises.