Global Liver Institute Calls for Urgent Action as Fatty Liver Disease Prevalence Surges Worldwide
Washington, D.C., June 11, 2025. In the United States alone, more than 122 million adults are projected to be affected by 2050.
Larry R. Holden, President and CEO of Global Liver Institute, states, "The liver is no longer the silent organ. Fatty liver disease is now one of the clearest and most urgent signs of global metabolic dysfunction. On Global Fatty Liver Day, we call on healthcare leaders, policymakers, and the public to recognize the liver's central role in preventing not just liver disease-but cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Liver health must rise to the top of public health agendas globally."
Fatty liver disease develops when excess fat accumulates in the liver, often without symptoms in its early stages. Left unaddressed, it can progress to inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. In fact, MASH is now one of the leading causes of liver transplantation in the U.S.
But fatty liver disease doesn't occur in isolation:
- Up to 75% of people with type 2 diabetes (https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1437) also have MASLD
- Over 70% of people with MASLD also live with obesity
- Between 20% and 80% of individuals with high cholesterol or triglycerides are also affected by fatty liver disease
"Fatty liver disease is not just about the liver-it's about the entire metabolic ecosystem," said Sharon Jaycox, PhD, Fatty Liver Disease Program Director at GLI. "If we fail to address it, we miss a major opportunity to detect and treat metabolic dysfunction early. We must educate patients and providers alike, embed liver screening in diabetes and obesity care, and drive equitable access to diagnostics and care."
GLI urges coordinated action across health systems, communities, and governments to:
- Incorporate liver screening into routine care for those with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic risks
- Educate the public and clinicians about MASLD, MASH, and MetALD as part of integrated metabolic care
- Expand access to affordable, noninvasive diagnostic tools
- Support policies and funding that reflect the scale and urgency of the fatty liver disease crisis
As GLI continues to lead this global awareness effort, we invite stakeholders to join us in bringing liver health into every metabolic health conversation.
Visit www.globalfattyliverday.comto learn more, access resources, and take action on Global Fatty Liver Day.
Attachment
- Today is Global Fatty Liver Day (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/f6af1d45-c1ed-4ce7-998c-3ff48ee5e0ce)
Christine Maalouf Global Liver Institute cmaalouf@globalliver.org
