American Liver Foundation grateful to our
Congressional Champions and Advocates
NEW YORK,
April 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A first-ever national study to
assess the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD)* will be conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ)**, in collaboration with other federal agency
stakeholders, to evaluate the prevalence, diagnoses, treatments and
complications associated with NAFLD.
New national study to assess prevalence of
NAFLD to be conducted, ALF grateful to Congress and
advocates.
"We are so grateful to Senator Bill Cassidy
(R-LA) for his leadership in championing this effort on Capitol
Hill. A nationwide study to assess the true prevalence of NAFLD and
address barriers to preventing, diagnosing, and treating the
disease is the first step towards developing a comprehensive plan
to combat this looming public health crisis," said Lorraine Stiehl, CEO, American Liver Foundation.
"We are incredibly thankful for our advocates who have been meeting
with, and writing to, their Members of Congress over the past year
to support this critical study, and to the American Society of
Transplantation for their partnership on this important
initiative."
Specifically, the study will: 1) Assess the
prevalence of NAFLD in the United
States; 2) Assess the costs associated with individuals
diagnosed with NAFLD, including the costs to patients, families,
and government programs; 3) Assess the costs and impact on patients
and the healthcare system if NAFLD is unaddressed and progresses to
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)*, liver failure, poor liver
function, or liver transplant; 4) Identify and address barriers to
preventing, diagnosing, and treating NAFLD and NASH; and 5) Include
an analysis of any disparities in access to care and other
outcomes, such as health status, among minority populations.
It is estimated that 80-100 million
Americans are affected by NAFLD, most are unaware they even have
the disease. NAFLD is present in 75% of people who are overweight
and in 90% of those who are severely obese. It is the most common
form of childhood liver disease in the U.S., rising by more than
100% over the past 20 years, partly because of the increase in
childhood obesity. NASH, a dangerous and progressive form of NAFLD,
will become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S.
by 2025.
"On behalf of the American Society of
Transplantation, I was thrilled to learn that NAFLD study language
was included in the final Labor HHS Appropriations bill and proud
to support these efforts. Data emanating from this critical
research will ultimately help us prioritize and guide strategies to
diagnose, treat and prevent progression of the most common liver
disease in America," said Josh
Levitsky, MD, MS, FAST, FAASLD, President, American Society
of Transplantation.
Populations at the greatest risk for NAFLD
include those with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome and
people from diverse backgrounds including Hispanic and Asian
communities. Preliminary data already show a potential high
prevalence of NAFLD amongst the U.S. population. In an ongoing
American Liver Foundation public health initiative to screen
at-risk individuals, Think Liver Think LifeĀ®, preliminary data show
64% of those screened were found to have some indication of
fatty liver disease*. In an online liver health quiz to assess
risk factors, 93% of respondents received a positive result for
being at risk for NAFLD. The quiz is available in English at
thinkliverthinklife.org/quiz and in Spanish at
thinkliverthinklife.org/prueba. Learn more about liver disease at
liverfoundation.org.
About the American Liver Foundation
American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national
community of patients, caregivers and medical professionals
dedicated to helping people improve their liver health. Providing
guidance and life-saving resources, we are a beacon for the 100
million Americans affected by liver disease. We advocate for
patients and families, fund medical research and educate the public
about liver wellness and disease prevention. We bring people
together through our educational programs and events and create a
network of support that lasts a lifetime. ALF is the largest
organization focused on all liver diseases and the trusted voice
for patients and families living with liver disease. For more
information visit www.liverfoundation.org or call: 1 800 GO LIVER
(800-465-4837).
*The nomenclature for nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) has recently changed to metabolic dysfunction
associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH) has been renamed to metabolic dysfunction
associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Fatty liver disease is now
called steatotic liver disease. Learn more about the nomenclature
changes in this video:
https://liverfoundation.org/resource-center/videos/new-nomenclature-for-fatty-liver-disease/.
** View the NAFLD study language included in the
Senate Appropriations 118-84 Report, and the final FY24 L-HHS bill
clause indicating its inclusion.
Contact: Julie
Kimbrough
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JKimbrough@liverfoundation.org
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646-737-9409
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SOURCE American Liver Foundation