African Americans and Mexican Americans suffer from disproportionately high rates of end-stage renal disease in comparison with whites from the United States. An improved understanding of both classic and novel chronic kidney disease risk factors among racial/ethnic minorities may help to facilitate improved prevention, screening, and early intervention strategies for all patients at risk for chronic kidney disease-not only in the United States, but on a global level. The economic implications are equally important to inform health policy recommendations and ensure cost-effective allocation of limited resources.