Experts Urge Awareness on Silent Liver Disease
A silent health crisis is affecting millions around the world, and many people are unaware if they’re at risk. Leading health experts are sounding the alarm, stressing that without early detection and a change in medical focus, the situation could worsen significantly.
Chronic liver disease is rising quietly, with a recent global meeting in Barcelona drawing attention to the need for improved detection methods. One hundred international experts warned that without prioritizing early diagnosis and patient-centered care, many individuals may remain undiagnosed. It’s a serious public health concern.
The condition, known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), impacts roughly 33% of adults globally, with its more severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), affecting about 5% of the population. Those with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or related risk factors face a significantly higher risk. What makes MASH particularly concerning is that it often presents no symptoms until it reaches a critical stage, which can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Insights from Experts
Experts in hepatology are calling for a targeted increase in MASH diagnosis rates by 2027, as the disease tends to go unnoticed during the early stages. They argue that the lack of early detection exacerbates patient outcomes and places an increased burden on global healthcare systems. They advocate for the incorporation of non-invasive tools and AI technology to identify at-risk individuals within primary care settings.
Furthermore, they propose actionable initiatives such as routine screenings for vulnerable populations, including liver tests in regular health check-ups, and improving policies related to reimbursement. Collaboration among various specialties, along with patient organizations, is deemed essential to tackle this growing threat effectively.
“The future of combating MASH relies on proactive measures—not just treating advanced cases but identifying those without fibrosis early,” stated Jeffrey Lazarus from ISGlobal. He emphasized the necessity of adopting preventive approaches in liver health to improve metabolic outcomes for millions.
Reframing Perspectives
Additionally, over 40 professionals have introduced the “People-First Liver Charter” in Nature Medicine, which advocates for changing the language used around liver disease. They aim to remove the stigma that often delays diagnosis and treatment. This charter encourages respectful, person-centered dialogue regarding patients, moving away from purely clinical language and focusing on empathy.
Rising Chronic Liver Disease in Spain
During the meeting, a policy brief on Spain’s liver health revealed troubling statistics. In 2021, about eight million Spaniards were estimated to have MASLD, with projections suggesting this figure could rise to 12.7 million by 2030. Additionally, cases of MASH reported in 2016 indicated a significant mortality increase, with related deaths expected to double by 2030. The financial burden on healthcare is anticipated to escalate from $1.48 billion in 2021 to $3.5 billion by 2040.
Lazarus recommended that a national strategy, led by the Ministry of Health, should be established. This would entail creating a MASLD registry, incorporating it into key health metrics, facilitating better training for healthcare professionals, improving diagnostic processes, and enhancing community-based services.
Chronic liver diseases affect over 1.5 billion people worldwide yet remain largely overlooked in global strategies for non-communicable diseases. As the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs approaches in September 2025, experts are urging urgent measures to address the escalating rates of MASH.
