Silent Liver Disease epidemic Demands Urgent Action: Global Experts Issue Stark Warning

June 20, 2025

A silent health crisis is unfolding across the globe, with millions unaware thay might potentially be affected. Leading health experts are now urgently calling for immediate action, warning that delayed detection and a lack of prioritized medical care could lead to devastating consequences related to chronic liver disease.

During a global meeting in Barcelona, Spain, this week (June 2025), a panel of 100 international specialists issued a critical warning: healthcare systems are failing to identify millions suffering from liver ailments. Unless early detection and patient-focused strategies are swiftly implemented, this oversight will persist.

The Unseen Threat: MASLD and MASH

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) impacts roughly 33% of adults globally. Its more aggressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), affects approximately 5% of the general population. individuals with type 2 diabetes,obesity,or other cardiometabolic risk factors face significantly elevated vulnerability.

The insidious nature of MASH lies in its often symptom-free progression until it reaches an advanced stage, potentially leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Expert Recommendations for Combating Chronic liver Disease

Leading hepatology and metabolic health authorities are imploring healthcare systems to double the diagnosis rate of MASH by 2027. The advanced stages of this disease silently affect countless individuals, yet early detection remains infrequent. this shortfall exacerbates outcomes and amplifies the global healthcare burden.

Experts emphasize the need for non-invasive tools and AI-driven technologies to pinpoint at-risk patients within primary care settings. They also stress that effective treatments must accompany improved diagnostic capabilities.

Did You Know? AI-powered diagnostic tools are showing promise in detecting early signs of liver disease, potentially revolutionizing screening processes.Incorporating these tools into routine check-ups could save countless lives.

Concrete Actions Proposed

The panel proposed several concrete actions to mitigate the growing public health threat by 2030:

• Routine screening for at-risk populations.
• integrating liver testing into standard health check-ups.
• Updating reimbursement policies to cover early detection and treatment.
• Fostering collaboration among primary care, endocrinology, cardiology, and patient organizations.

“The future of the fight against MASH lies in anticipation: not only treating advanced patients but also identifying those without fibrosis early on. This shift towards preventive hepatology is key to improving the metabolic health of millions around the world,” stated Jeffrey Lazarus, Head of the Public Health Liver Group at ISGlobal, and lead author of the study.

A Call for a Person-First Approach

Concurrently,over 40 experts have unveiled the People-First Liver Charter, published in Nature Medicine. This charter champions a basic change in how liver disease is discussed and treated.

the charter underscores the importance of eradicating the stigma associated with liver disease, which frequently enough delays diagnosis and appropriate care. It advocates for respectful, patient-centered language and care that prioritizes the individual, not merely the disease itself. This paradigm shift aims to cultivate greater empathy, reduce disparities in treatment, and promote the adoption of more inclusive terminology for liver ailments. To date, over 70 organizations have endorsed this initiative.

Chronic Liver Disease: A Rising Concern in Spain

A policy brief focusing on Spain,presented at the Barcelona meeting,revealed troubling trends.In 2021, approximately eight million individuals in Spain where living with MASLD. Projections indicate this number will surge to 12.7 million (27.6% of the population) by 2030. An estimated 1.8 million MASH cases were reported in 2016.

MASH-related mortality in spain is anticipated to double, reaching approximately 7,590 deaths by 2030. The economic burden on healthcare could more then double, escalating from $1.48 billion in 2021 to $3.5 billion by 2040.

Pro Tip: Early lifestyle interventions,such as diet modifications and regular exercise,can significantly reduce the risk of developing MASLD and MASH. Consult with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

“We recommend a national strategy led by the Ministry of Health and in close collaboration with all autonomous communities that includes a MASLD registry,its inclusion in key health indicators,enhanced training for healthcare professionals,automated diagnosis in primary care,and strengthened community-based services,” warned Lazarus.

Global Implications and the UN High-Level Meeting

despite affecting over 1.5 billion people worldwide, chronic liver disease remains conspicuously absent from global non-communicable disease (NCD) strategies.As the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs approaches in September 2025, experts are advocating for immediate and decisive action.