Global Liver Institute convenes communities to reverse fatty liver disease growing trend

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- Global Liver Institute (GLI) calls attention to NASH by leading the 5th annual International NASH Day on June 9.

NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) is a serious, progressive condition in which too much fat accumulates on the liver, leading to its inflammation and injury. It is the severe form of NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).

“With over a hundred million people worldwide already who have NASH and several times more in the earlier stages, people have reason to know about this progressive condition and what they can do today to combat it,” said Donna R. Cryer, president and CEO of GLI in a statement.

“Collective action is imperative to be certain that individuals in each community, no matter their background or environment, are informed and equipped to prevent fatty liver disease. The momentum that we build together today must advance and sustain the global fight against NASH.”

The number of people with this advanced liver disease is expected to double by 2030, but #NASHday aims to prevent this growth.

Join the movement to #StopNASHNow by listening in as 24 expert panelists globally share the latest updates about the disease or adding to the conversation on social media (#NASHday). The movement permeates the globe through many locally-organised events to educate about, screen for, and prevent NASH.

Modern lifestyle and dietary patterns have contributed to increased prevalence of NASH and NAFLD worldwide, and it is becoming the most common cause of liver disease. Given its widespread impact and the possibility of prevention in most cases of this disease, NASH emerges as a global health priority.

This year, GLI and its partners join with the theme to #StopNASHNow: Even as therapies for NASH are being developed, there are many steps that people and their doctors can take today to prevent, reverse, or slow the progression of fatty liver disease.

International NASH Day has garnered the endorsement of prominent organisations globally, with among others, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD); Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH); and, Asociación Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Hígado (ALEH).

-- BERNAMA