[Editorial] Liver health: a neglected aspect of the NCD agenda
This is an editorial summary of research originally reported by The Lancet. ProductSafer does not claim ownership of the underlying research. All intellectual property belongs to the original publishers.
The first European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)–Lancet Liver Commission, published in December, 2021, highlighted that liver disease was the second leading cause of years-of-working-life-lost in Europe (after ischaemic heart disease). The Commission proposed a set of actions to improve liver health aimed at health-care providers and policy makers. And while some progress has been made, for example, in addressing stigma through disease name changes and shifting focus from diagnosi
# Editorial Summary
Liver disease represents a significant but often overlooked public health challenge across Europe. According to the European Association for the Study of the Liver, liver conditions rank as the second leading cause of lost working years in Europe, a statistic that reveals just how serious these conditions are for individuals and society. Despite this substantial burden, liver health has largely been neglected in broader discussions about preventing chronic diseases, receiving far less attention than conditions like heart disease, even though the impact on people's lives and livelihoods is comparable.
The EASL-Lancet Liver Commission, published in late 2021, brought this problem into focus by calling for concrete action from healthcare providers and policymakers. The Commission's work has already sparked some positive changes, including efforts to reduce stigma around liver disease through updated terminology and a shift toward earlier detection and intervention. However, these initial steps represent just the beginning of what experts believe needs to be a much larger, coordinated effort to address the full scope of liver health issues in Europe.
The takeaway for consumers is straightforward: pay attention to your liver health, just as you would your heart health. This means being mindful of factors known to harm the liver, such as excessive alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight to reduce risk of fatty liver disease. If you have concerns about your liver, whether due to family history, lifestyle factors, or existing conditions, talk to your doctor about screening options. Supporting public health initiatives that prioritize liver disease prevention and early detection can also make a difference in shifting how seriously this health threat is taken.
What you can do
- ✓Check whether you're consuming alcohol at levels that could harm your liver—the EASL-Lancet Commission identifies alcohol as a major preventable risk factor—and consider discussing safe drinking limits with your doctor.
- ✓Ask your healthcare provider about screening for liver disease, particularly if you have risk factors like obesity, hepatitis exposure, or regular alcohol use, since the article emphasizes that earlier detection and intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
- ✓Review any medications you take regularly with your pharmacist or doctor to understand whether they could affect your liver function, as medication-related liver damage is a preventable risk that deserves attention alongside alcohol and viral hepatitis.
Always consult a healthcare professional for personal medical advice.
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