After a whirlwind winter, the first quarter of 2023 has come to a close! We’ve glimpsed promising horizons in the NASH treatment world, received big news for liver transplantation equity and transparency, and have led conversations on technological advancements, access to healthcare, and maternal health in liver disease. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!
GLI around the World
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición, México
As part of our commitment to building engagement and infrastructure that benefits liver health across the globe, GLI’s Donna R. Cryer and Jeff McIntyre joined with Mexican state health ministers and Dr. Arun Sanyal (VCU) and Dr. Sitaramaraju Yarramraju (Avant Santé) at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición in Mexico City on January 23-24. They discussed the rise of liver disease as part of the overall rise of metabolic disorders in Mexico.
National Forum, Bulgaria
On February 15, GLI’s Liver Health is Public Health program director Giacomo Donnini spoke at a National Forum, organized by HepActive, in Bulgaria, entitled “Where is Bulgaria on the way to meeting the global health goals of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030?” Donnini shared key findings about liver health globally – and particularly in Bulgaria – gathered from our Global State of Liver Health report.
Global NASH Congress, London, UK
On March 2, VP of Liver Health Programs Jeff Mcintyre represented GLI at the 6th Global NASH Congress in London. In his panel, titled “A Solution for Every Stage: The NAFLD/NASH Patient,” Jeff emphasized the importance of patient involvement in all areas of the NASH field, along every stage of the patient journey.
Policy & Advocacy
GLI and Thorn Run Partners
We are pleased to share that we have partnered with Thorn Run Partners (TRP) to provide us with their public policy expertise. We look forward to working with their team of experts in moving policies forward that will benefit the broader liver health community.
GLI CEO Provides Public Witness Testimony to US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Labor/HHS Subcommittee
GLI’s CEO Donna R. Cryer provided a public witness testimony to the Labor/HHS Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives Appropriations committee regarding funding for a breadth of liver health issues, including the rise of NASH, funding the hepatitis C elimination program and hepatitis B vaccinations, and directly funding agencies to address liver cancer, including the CDC, NIH, and NIDDK. Read the statement.
Global Liver Institute Applauds HRSA’s Announcement of OPTN Modernization Initiative and Contract Break Up as Critical to Achieve Health Equity
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced that it will break up the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) monopoly in order to improve accountability and transparency in the organ donation system. GLI applauds this action as critical to equity in organ allocation, improved organ recovery and transportation and responsible use of OPTN funds, which are largely provided by listing fees from patients themselves.
NASH
Comparing Clinical Care Guidelines in NAFLD/NASH
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally, affecting 1 in 4 people. Currently, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for the treatment of NAFLD or NASH. In an effort to manage this growing disease, the AGA, AACE and AASLD developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines that highlight recommendations for screening, diagnosis and management of NAFLD and NASH, which we have compared and contrasted.
International #NASHday will be on Thursday, June 8, 2023!
Entering its sixth year, we invite you to step up for patients, step up for early detection, step up for advocacy, and #StepUpforNASH as part of this year’s International NASH Day.
Interested in hosting a media, educational, or prevention event?
Apply to become a partner today!
Liver Cancers
World Cancer Day with the Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota
On February 7, GLI’s Director of Liver Cancers Programs Sarah Manes advocated alongside the Minnesota Cancer Alliance at the state capitol on World Cancer Day to call the legislature to pass for smart policies that will save lives through prevention, early detection, and accessible treatment for cancers.
Society of Interventional Radiology’s (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting, Phoenix, AZ
On March 8, GLI CEO Donna R. Cryer discussed with delegates in interventional radiology about the patient experience and what patient-centered steps are necessary to move the liver cancer path forward at the closing plenary session of the SIR Annual Meeting.
Pediatric & Rare Liver Diseases
Rare Liver Diseases Month
The 2023 Rare Liver Diseases Month and concurrent #RareAware campaign was a success! By focusing on pregnancy and parenthood, we raised awareness of the rare liver conditions that can affect or even develop during pregnancy or in the first few days of a baby’s life, convened experts to identify steps forward to support families who face liver disease, and even released new patient education materials.
Rare Disease Day: A Look at 40 Years of the Orphan Drug Act
In recognition of Rare Disease Day, GLI’s CEO Donna R. Cryer provided the patient perspective during a Rare Disease panel, held on February 28, recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Orphan Drug Act, put on by The Hill and moderated by Bob Cusack, The Hill’s Editor in Chief.
Watch the full panel.
Updates from the Liver Action Network (LAN)
GLI’s Liver Action Network Emphasizes the Link between NASH and Obesity on World Obesity Day
The LAN pledges collective support of World Obesity Day to acknowledge the strong connection between NASH and obesity. Read more.
GLI’s Liver Action Network Supports Living Donor Day and Urges for Increased Awareness of Living Donation
The LAN pledges collective support of living donors, families, recipients, and clinical teams who make lifesaving liver transplants possible and urges Congress to pass legislation to support and protect those who would like to become living donors. Read more.
🗓️Check out our calendar for upcoming events.
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