UWI Researcher Among Experts in Landmark Global Study on Chronic Kidney Disease

The UWI’s Dr Lori‑Ann Fisher Among Experts in Landmark Global Study on Chronic Kidney Disease

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is contributing to critical global research tackling chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dr Lori-Ann Fisher, a Consultant Nephrologist, Intensivist, and Lecturer at the Epidemiology Research Unit of the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR) at The UWI, is one of the international experts featured in a landmark series on the disease published in The Lancet.

Led by Dr Jennifer Lees of the University of Glasgow, the new landmark series of papers highlights CKD as a rapidly escalating global health crisis and calls for urgent improvements in early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Dr Lees noted, “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 resources to be focused on this condition.”

Chronic kidney disease is currently the ninth leading cause of death globally and affects an estimated 844 million people worldwide, with projections indicating it could become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. Despite its scale, CKD remains significantly underdiagnosed, particularly in regions like the Caribbean where awareness and routine screening remain limited.

In the Caribbean, the burden is particularly concerning. Data from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey indicate that an estimated 15% of Jamaicans are living with CKD, with many already at advanced or high‑risk stages of the disease.

Dr Fisher emphasised the importance of early detection in the regional context, saying, “We now have accessible medications that treat kidney disease and reduce progression to kidney failure. In the Caribbean, where access to transplant and dialysis is limited, detecting kidney disease early is crucial to improve outcomes. Investment in strengthening healthcare systems to detect and treat kidney disease is paramount for the health of our nations.”

One of the greatest challenges is that CKD often progresses silently. In its early and moderate stages, individuals rarely experience symptoms, leading to significant underdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Symptoms may only appear in the most severe stages, often when dialysis or kidney transplantation becomes necessary.

The research underscores that early diagnosis—using simple, affordable urine and blood tests—is critical to improving outcomes. Despite this, such testing is not consistently implemented across healthcare systems.

Dr Fisher’s involvement in this landmark publication reflects The UWI’s ongoing commitment to addressing pressing regional and global health challenges through research and evidence‑based advocacy.

She is a consultant nephrologist and intensivist with research expertise in chronic kidney disease epidemiology, sickle cell nephropathy, and lupus nephritis in the Caribbean, and has contributed significantly to understanding CKD prevalence and associated risk factors in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. She currently serves as Chair of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) North America and Caribbean Regional Board, strengthening the region’s voice in global kidney health initiatives.

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE’s prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.

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