Researchers see NAFLD as a “public health priority”

Researchers developed a consensus statement that demonstrated the increased need for support to tackle non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a global public health problem, according to a presentation at the Digital NAFLD Summit 2021.

As a result of a 2020 NAFLD Global Policy Review (Lazarus, et al. Nature Reviews Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2021), Jeffrey V. Lazare, Doctorate, EASL Vice-President University of Barcelona and colleagues found that in 102 countries none were well prepared to tackle NAFLD. In addition, almost a third of countries received an overall score of zero in the areas of policy, guidelines, civil awareness, epidemiology, detection and management.

“This lack of policy context and recommendations regarding models of care led us to bring together a large group to work on a consensus statement and public health recommendations to have a coordinated response and to form the basis of ‘a global NAFLD roadmap. ” said Lazare.

From December 2020 to March 2021, experts developed a final set of 37 consensus statements and 26 recommendations covering a wide range of topics relevant to policy makers, practitioners, civil society groups, research institutes and affected populations.

Highlights of the NAFLD Consensus answering the questions of “what will it take to move the NAFLD public health agenda forward” follow.

Form leadership for the NAFLD public health program which collaborates across disciplines to develop guidelines and action plans.

Develop educational courses and hire health communication experts to increase awareness.

Improve access to effective treatments that have a lasting impact.

Implement models of care based on previous work that provide providers with the necessary tools.

“We have a long way to go to make NAFLD a public health priority and ensure adequate responses from the local to the global level. But there is reason to be optimistic, ”concluded Lazare. “We have more momentum than ever and a growing coalition of experts from all disciplines ready to move this agenda forward. … We now need to develop national and global action plans and roadmaps to translate this into action.