TOGETHER FOR STEATOTIC LIVER DISEASE
The Hidden NCDs: SLD as the Next Global Public Health Priority

A Policy Event on the sidelines of WHA 79

On May 21, during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), Global Liver Institute, in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, convened a high-level side event to elevate steatotic liver disease (SLD) as a global public health priority within the noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda. This marked GLI’s third convening at WHA and builds on years of sustained advocacy to advance global recognition of SLD.

The event featured two expert panels: one bringing together international NGOs across the metabolic health space to highlight the strong links between liver disease, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and broader NCD prevention; and a second convening policymakers and ministerial representatives from Bangladesh, China, Qatar, and Russia to discuss pathways for translating global commitments into national policy action. A key addition this year was the patient perspective, with three advocates sharing their lived experiences.

This convening contributed to growing momentum at WHA79, where the plenary adopted a landmark resolution recognizing SLD within the NCD framework—an achievement years in the making. The resolution marks a major milestone for the liver community and creates new opportunities for national implementation, including integrated prevention, early detection, and stronger, more equitable health system responses.

The convening reinforced a clear message: liver health is public health, and addressing SLD now requires coordinated global and national action.

During the event, GLI launched the third edition of its Best Practices in Liver Health Policy report, featuring new case studies from Australia, China, France, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates. The report highlights successful approaches to integrating liver health into clinical pathways and national health strategies.