Page 21 – Global Liver Institute

Bringing Hope to Patients

by Global Liver Institute | Feb 9, 2023 | Liver Cancers News

Recent months have been marked with promising advances in the fight against liver cancers for patients around the globe. With the 5-year relative survival rate still at 20%, we still have a long way to go, but there is movement and hope. Be sure to stay abreast of the updates and please share your updates with us.

Ysabel Duron appointed to the National Cancer Advisory Board

We applaud Ysabel Duron, Founder and Executive Director of The Latino Cancer Institute, for being appointed to the National Cancer Advisory Board which compliments the Cancer Moonshot initiative. Ysabel is a nationally recognized and influential patient advocate leader who is dedicated to building community knowledge and capacity to respond to the cancer challenge, while amplifying Latino voices around issues of cancer. Ysabel was also a noteworthy roundtable guest for GLIs Hispanic and LatinX Health Equity Roundtable during the 2022 #OctoberIs4Livers campaign.

Exciting Phase III Results for Early-Stage HCC Treatment

It was announced January 18, 2023 that Genentech’s Tecentriq Plus Avastin is the first treatment combination found to reduce the risk of cancer returning in people with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a phase III trial. The study evaluated Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) in combination with Avastin® (bevacizumab) as adjuvant treatment following surgery for people with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma at high risk of disease recurrence. The Tecentriq combination showed a statistically significant improvement in RFS in the intention-to-treat population of HCC patients who have an increased risk of recurrence following resection or ablation with curative intent, compared with active surveillance.

“Global Liver Institute is thrilled – Genentech, congrats! This is such positive news for the cancer community,” stated Sarah Manes, Liver Cancers Program Director at Global Liver Institute, “and we look forward to seeing the impact this has on the patients we advocate for.”

HCC-TAG Conference to Convene the Community February 23-25

GLI will be at HCC-TAG this year! The 2023 conference will bring together clinicians and researchers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry for a focused educational update to highlight the most relevant advances and challenges in the diagnosis and therapy of HCC. If you plan on attending, please contact GLIs Liver Cancers Program Director Sarah Manes at smanes@globalliver.org, and she would love to meet with you!

Building Liver Health Resilience in Cameroon

GLI celebrated #WorldCancerDay on February 4, 2023. Perfect timing for us to call out a must-see GLI LIVE video!! In this episode of GLI LIVE, Donna Cryer, GLI founder, CEO, and host of the show, talks with Mbianke Livancliff, MD, MPH, an NCD researcher and Bosch Fellowship alumnus who works with Value Health Africa and leads Empower Women Foundation. Dr. Livancliff discusses his ongoing advocacy work, particularly the fabulously successful open house held in partnership with Empower Women Foundation at Limbe Regional Hospital during the #OctoberIs4Livers campaign.

For more information about the Liver Cancers Council or to learn more about joining, please visit https://globalliver.org/liver-cancers-council/ or email cancer@globalliver.org.

A Critical Time in NASH

by Global Liver Institute | Feb 7, 2023 | Fatty Liver Disease News

With NASH drug approval in the US on the horizon, energy has been high throughout the field. Nevertheless, we still face challenges – regulatory science must be aligned, and advocacy among stakeholders must be employed to help patients understand what to expect once we enter this new stage of NASH treatments. Learn about the latest in the field below:

AASLD Practice Guidance on the Clinical Assessment and Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Late last Friday, the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) released its much-anticipated guidance for managing NAFLD/NASH. This official practice guidance is intended to support providers with the information and pathway for serving liver patients with NAFLD/NASH.

This follows the guidelines released last year by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE). With these practice guidelines now available, we have a clearer view of clinical pathways available for those at risk for NAFLD/NASH, determining risk for disease progression, and approaches for specialist referral

FDA Accepts Intercept’s New Drug Application for OCA For the Treatment of Pre-Cirrhotic Liver Fibrosis Due to NASH

Eying the first NASH approval, the FDA accepted Intercept Pharmaceutical’s New Drug Application (NDA) for obeticholic acid (OCA) to treat pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis due to NASH. A team from the FDA will soon be reviewing the research on OCA’s safety and effectiveness. “This regulatory milestone brings us one step closer to reaching our goal of delivering the first available therapy for patients living with pre-cirrhotic fibrosis due to NASH – the most rapidly growing cause of liver transplantation in the U.S.,” says Jerry Durso, Intercept President and CEO. We are eager to see the next steps and opportunities this will bring not only for the liver health industry, but also for patients.

Surfing NASH Highlights Key Moments From Its Coverage of a Watershed Moment for Fatty Liver at NASH-TAG 2023

NASH-TAG 2023 provided attendees with a better understanding of current diagnostic procedures, prospects and challenges related to drug discovery and development for NASH and liver fibrosis. On an episode of Surfing the NASH Tsunami, Donna Cryer, GLI Founder and CEO, discusses her impressions from the conference regarding aligning regulatory science and expanding advocacy avenues. Mrs. Cryer emphasizes the importance of raising advocacy and energy among medical stakeholders and points out what drug and diagnostic companies can do to help physicians identify patients who need treatment after NASH drugs are approved.

Quantifying the Negative Impact of Fast-Food Consumption on Liver Steatosis Among United States Adults with Diabetes and Obesity

A recent analysis of data from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has quantified the impacts of fast-food consumption on liver health. Fast food consumption is associated with NAFLD, especially among obese or diabetic individuals. Those consuming fast food for one-fifth of their daily weight had significantly higher fat levels than those consuming the same amount of fast food without obesity or diabetes.

International NASH Day is on June 8, 2023!

Join us for International NASH Day, a public education campaign launched in June 2018 to raise visibility and urgency around fatty liver disease and its more advanced form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which affects more than 115 million people around the world.

To learn more about the NASH Council or become a member, please visit https://globalliver.org/nash-council/ or reach out to NASH@globalliver.org

Obstetric and Neonatal Professionals Must Work More Closely with Pregnant People to Identify Liver Diseases Early

by lily | Feb 1, 2023 | Pediatric & Rare Liver Diseases News, Web Releases

Obstetric and Neonatal Professionals Must Work More Closely with Pregnant People to Identify Liver Diseases Early

Global Liver Institute Draws Attention to Rare Liver Diseases & Pregnancy during Third Annual #RareAware Campaign

(Washington D.C., February 1, 2023) – Global Liver Institute (GLI) launches its third annual #RareAware campaign today to raise awareness of and build resources for liver health challenges to maternal and neonatal well-being through a series of webinars, storytimes, and social media outreach. Liver diseases such as intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and biliary atresia (BA) can complicate a pregnancy or endanger a newborn’s earliest days, in the worst cases threatening the lives of baby and mother alike.

“Most pregnant women and families of young children were never informed that liver health is an essential aspect of a healthy pregnancy and birth. This omission can prove deadly, unnecessarily so,” shared Donna R. Cryer, JD, President and CEO of GLI. “To protect the lives of these parents and their children, we call for enhanced primary care systems to promote timely diagnosis and comprehensive care for pregnant people and their babies.”

Though maternal and neonatal rare liver diseases are mainly unheard of and rarely discussed, across the world they affect thousands of lives:

Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome, a severe form of preeclampsia, threatens both mother and baby’s life in over 1 in 1000 pregnancies.
Existing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been tied to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), an issue with the flow of bile in the liver, which affects 1 in 300 pregnancies.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy can develop postpartum, which although extremely rare, can be highly fatal.
Many rare liver diseases begin to affect newborns in the first few years of life, causing life-threatening symptoms if they are not treated quickly.
Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes due to excess bilirubin), common in infants, can be either a benign symptom of a developing liver or indicative of severe disease.

For any liver disease during pregnancy or early in life, early diagnosis is critical to access the complex, robust care required to mitigate issues. A misdiagnosis or late diagnosis, often due to appearance of symptoms late in a pregnancy, can heighten risk.

If liver diseases are ignored during pregnancy, it can lead to serious health complications for both the mother and the baby. The mother may experience liver failure, bleeding, and infection. The baby may be born prematurely or with low birth weight, and may also be at risk for liver problems, while maternal mortality risk increases. Even liver disease unrelated to but during pregnancy, such as an infection with viral hepatitis, can cause complications. Clearly for many patients, a liver treatment plan is a vital part of a healthy pregnancy.

Thus, we must collectively remove the barriers to comprehensive prenatal care that many people face – whether living in a geographic maternal care desert, limited access to care due to insufficient insurance coverage, delayed diagnosis, or the heavy financial load that treatment for rare disease can amass. Since these barriers are most prominent for already disadvantaged communities, it is both a matter of equity and a matter of life and death. A proactive, attentive prenatal and neonatal care team can help bridge that gap.

The month of February is full of opportunities to learn more and share about this troubling relationship between liver disease and maternal/neonatal health:

Download our social media toolkit and share our graphics with your followers.
Learn about the different rare liver diseases through our “Be #RareAware” posts
Watch weekly episodes of GLI LIVE each Wednesday at 12PM ET on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Register to attend the roundtable series, investigating key perspectives in pregnancy and liver disease.

Join a book discussion with Kara & Evren Ayik, co-authors of Extraordinary!, to help families with rare liver disease understand their condition and connect with peers.

Join the conversation online with the hashtag #RareAware!

“Anyone, no matter who they are or where they live, deserves the best possible care during pregnancy and childbirth –that includes discussions of liver health,” Royze Cachero, manager of Pediatric and Rare Liver Diseases at GLI, said.

Please join us!

For questions about the campaign or if you or your organization are interested in getting even more involved, please reach out to pedsrare@globalliver.org. For media inquiries, please reach out to communications@globalliver.org.

About Global Liver Institute
Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. Follow GLI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Checked Out for the Holidays? Here’s What You Missed in Liver Health

by Lauren Ho | Jan 5, 2023 | Liver Matters

Washington, DC – January 5, 2023 – Happy New Year! We hope the year has already begun to bring you fresh energy and new opportunities. Indeed, last year ended with a bang for liver health. In case you missed it, we’re here to catch you up.

Positive Phase III Clinical Trial Results for Madrigal’s NASH Treatment

DECEMBER 19, 2022 – Great news in the NAFLD/NASH world: Madrigal Pharmaceuticals announced that in its MAESTRO-NASH study, the drug resmetirom has successfully achieved both primary endpoints proposed by the FDA to predict clinical benefit as well as being safe and well-tolerated. This creates a promising foundation for a New Drug Application and eventual availability of pharmaceutical treatment for NASH.

Intercept Resubmits NASH Fibrosis Treatment to FDA

DECEMBER 23, 2022 – After positive phase III trial results and detailed safety analysis, Intercept Pharmaceuticals announced that it has resubmitted a New Drug Application for obeticholic acid (OCA) for treatment of fibrosis due to NASH. This scarring can otherwise lead to downstream liver failure, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. It looks like pharmaceutical treatment for this too-common liver disease may be right around the corner.

Increased Understanding of the Brain-Liver Connection

JANUARY 01, 2023 – Several studies have associated NAFLD with mild cognitive decline and low oxygen levels, though the precise mechanism is unknown. A study out of Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology has found that mice without monocarboxylate transporter-1 (Mct-1) are protected from both NAFLD and its associated cognitive decline when given a diet that otherwise causes NAFLD. For a condition that affects an estimated 1 in 4 adults in the world, this troubling association provides a positive opportunity: a potential target for preventing both NAFLD and cognitive decline, Mct-1.

Bipartisan Omnibus Spending Package Passes into Law in the US

DECEMBER 23, 2022 – After it passed in the 117th Congress, President Biden signed the omnibus bipartisan funding bill into law for 2023. In addition to robust increases in funding for health research and public health agencies, including the NIH, CDC, and FDA, including notable investment in innovative cancer research (including liver cancer!) through the ARPA-H. Liver health will continue to be supported in 2023.

We can’t wait to see what more good news 2023 brings. In the meantime, be sure to stay up to date with the latest in liver health by subscribing to our newsletters and following us on social media.

About Global Liver Institute

Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Jacquelyn Jackson

by lily | Jan 5, 2023 | Liver Matters, Patient Stories

City/State/Country: Radford, VA, USA

Disease(s) of Loved One: Cirrhosis (2012 – Present)

I first heard the word “cirrhosis” in March of 2012. At the time, my husband was battling sepsis – going into septic shock, being ventilated, and staying in the ICU for over a week. As doctors searched for the cause of his infection, they determined he had cirrhosis. My husband was uninsured, but thankfully his medical costs were covered by the Catholic hospital where he was being treated. With the help of a support group, I quickly learned about cirrhosis within 60 days of my husband’s diagnosis. Caregiving is a 24 hour job: I schedule my husband’s doctor’s appointments, accompany him to his doctor’s visits, and cook healthy meals for him. Without insurance, my husband remained at home during his bout of hepatic encephalopathy, and I stayed awake for four days to ensure he didn’t get out of his bed unknowingly. But, as a caregiver, you can’t love the patient enough to make them want to live. If they don’t want to fight, that’s when, as a caregiver, you feel defeated. Luckily, my husband fought to live despite how challenging the journey has been.

Almost a decade ago, I began leading online cirrhosis support groups. People need compassion, empathy, and hope – all of which I try to give to patients and caregivers whom I’ve met through Facebook groups. As someone who’s always been the “quiet one”, I’ve learned to find my own voice through my work in advocacy. Equally important, allowing others’ voices to be heard will help those going through a similar journey because we can learn a lot from each other’s stories.

Since my husband’s cirrhosis diagnosis, we’ve both been more conscious of our health – cooking with fresh ingredients, using less salt in our food, and eliminating high fructose corn syrup in our diet. With the rising cases of NASH and NAFLD, which are risk factors for liver cancer, I wish more people would realize that there are so many answers to maintaining one’s health other than just another prescription. Nutrition is perhaps the best medicine we can have, and I am determined to promote healthy eating within and beyond the liver health community.

Rebecca Johnston

by lily | Jan 5, 2023 | Liver Matters, Patient Stories

City/State/Country: Springfield, Illinois, USA

Disease(s): Autoimmune Hepatitis (2002 – Present); Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (2017 – Present)

“Have you noticed that your eyes are kind of yellow?”

My family members noticed it first, and soon enough, I was referred to a specialist after my lab results revealed that my liver enzymes were elevated. One year later, I was formally diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis. For ten to fifteen years, I managed my liver disease through the help of two medications although the high dosage of medication at the start of my liver health journey made me feel absolutely miserable. Several years ago, I was hospitalized for two weeks due to a cholangitis attack, leading to a diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Soon after, I was given a tumor marker test at the Mayo Clinic. This was the game changer: I learned of the possibility that my liver disease could progress to liver cancer. Although it was the doctors who informed me of this possibility, it really took some personal research to dive deeper into the breadth and depth of information. From articles and online forums to Facebook groups and mobile phone apps, I became more proactive in educating myself about liver disease. This was the start to my journey in advocacy.

A lot of times this battle with liver disease feels isolating, but connecting with others who understand what you’re going through across different Facebook groups is really comforting. I’ve also taken a more active role in these groups, over the years, by sharing my personal experience or the articles I’ve read — ultimately raising awareness of liver disease. It is important to me to spread the word about liver disease and to educate others as lack of awareness can have serious consequences. Stigma, for example, is hurtful – especially when it comes from medical professionals – but it stems from a lack of education. So, there is no time like the present to inform others that liver disease can happen to anybody, not just people who drink alcohol.

Although living with liver disease is physically and emotionally challenging, I have been able to live a normal life – traveling, snorkeling, having children. So, do not limit yourself and do not hold back from doing something because you are scared or you are worried about the “what ifs”. If you live your life with those limitations, you’ll have no life at all.

Global Liver Institute Announces New Leadership of the Liver Action Network

by Lauren Ho | Dec 5, 2022 | Liver Health Policy Updates, Web Releases

Global Liver Institute Announces New Leadership of the Liver Action Network

Washington, DC – December 5, 2022 – In 2021, Global Liver Institute (GLI) launched the Liver Action Network (LAN) to better synchronize engagement across the liver advocacy community and to meet the needs of a rapidly growing cadre of liver health advocates. The LAN operates as a first-of-its-kind network that provides community member organizations a central structure for the formulation of collective health policy and programmatic solutions.

Today, GLI is proud to announce that Michael Betel of the Fatty Liver Alliance is appointed to be the LAN Chair for 2023. Michael has extensive experience in patient advocacy, strategic alliance development, and business leadership in various areas in health care. As the new LAN Chair, Michael will work with GLI to ensure the LAN continues to grow and improve the lives of people impacted by liver disease in the US and Canada. He will succeed the current LAN Chair, Scott Suckow. GLI thanks Scott for his past and ongoing service to the LAN.

“International collaboration and synergies between grassroots, community based organizations, all focused on advancing liver patient care is what the LAN is all about,” Michael shared. “I am so proud to be the Chair of this group of passionate, caring and committed community leaders.”

GLI looks forward to continuing to facilitate a group capable of making groundbreaking liver health changes globally. To learn more about the Liver Action Network or to join, please visit https://globalliver.org/liver-action-network.

About Global Liver Institute

Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

If We Do Not Prevent Liver Disease Now, the World Will Face Devastating Loss of Both Life and Financial Resources

by lily | Nov 2, 2022 | Web Releases

If We Do Not Prevent Liver Disease Now, the World Will Face Devastating Loss of Both Life and Financial Resources

Global Liver Institute’s “Global State of Liver Health” Report Exposes Alarming Trends

Washington, DC – November 3, 2022 – Global Liver Institute (GLI), the premier patient-led liver health nonprofit operating globally, announces the launch of its Global State of Liver Health report as part of its Liver Health is Public Health (LHPH) initiative. Through compiled statistics and expert perspectives, the report paints a preliminary picture of the key issues in liver health worldwide as well as the unique challenges faced by communities in specific regions before providing recommendations for the future.

As lifestyle habits change and global management of other major diseases improves, such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, liver diseases have risen to become one of the leading causes of death and illness worldwide.

Liver disease accounts for 2 million deaths each year.
Liver transplantation, one of the only treatments for end-stage liver disease, is the second most common solid organ transplantation, yet it remains largely inaccessible.
Viral hepatitis affects more than 360 million people worldwide.

As the Global State of Liver Health report has revealed, liver disease of various forms is rising at a rate that alarms experts worldwide. Changing dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyles have contributed to skyrocketing obesity rates – which are tied closely to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). As cultural stigma against alcohol softens, excessive alcohol use is on the rise – and with it, alcohol-associated liver disease. Though the technology exists, many developing countries are also still struggling to keep viral hepatitis under control. National-level action with community-level impact is necessary to keep these threats at bay in the coming years.

“A scarcity of high-quality, summative information about liver health worldwide has forestalled an informed, effective response to the rising challenge of liver disease,” stated Donna R. Cryer, president and CEO of GLI. “For the 1.5 billion people in the world living with liver diseases – including me – this has been unacceptable. This groundbreaking report is both a rallying cry and a foundational resource for clinicians, policymakers, and community leaders to build upon as they combat liver disease.”

Liver conditions continue to be misunderstood, mischaracterized, and stigmatized, which results in under-diagnosis, under-treatment, and unnecessarily poor outcomes. The LHPH initiative urges the broader health field to consider liver health as an integral part of public health – from nutrition, physical activity, and other prevention to robust screening, early diagnosis, and clinical pathways. It is changing the conversation about liver health by activating experts, educating the public, and empowering patients and advocates around the world.

“We are enormously grateful to the experts who gave us a window into their worlds,” shared Giacomo Donnini, GLI’s Director of Liver Health is Public Health. “Liver health is rooted in the community – so the expert input from within the communities facing liver disease was critical to comprehensive understanding. Now, we must act together to protect liver health around the world.”

GLI is working collaboratively with more than 200 global partners across GLI’s liver councils and other global efforts on the LHPH initiative. LHPH is endorsed by Arizona Liver Health, the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver, the Community Liver Alliance, Empire Liver Foundation, the European Reference Network (ERN) on Metabolic Diseases, the European Society for Organ Transplant (ESOT), the Fatty Liver Alliance, the Fatty Liver Foundation, HepCURE, the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF), the Hepatology Society of the Philippines, the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver (ALEH), the Liver Coalition of San Diego, the Liver Health Foundation, Liver Patients International, the Liver Wellness Foundation, the Midsouth Liver Alliance, NASH kNOWledge, the Northeast Ohio Liver Alliance, the PBC Foundation, the South Asia Association for the Study of the Liver (SAASL), the Texas Liver Foundation, Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), and the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA).

This initiative is made possible thanks to the support of Sanofi and Salix Pharmaceuticals.

About Global Liver Institute

Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. Follow GLI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Latest at GLI: October 2022

by Global Liver Institute | Oct 26, 2022 | The Latest at GLI

At GLI, we know that Liver Health is Public Health – which means that prevention is perhaps our greatest tool to keep livers around the world healthy. These past few months have been busy – and they have been full of international alignment around the urgency of investing in key preventive measures.

The broader community is convening to eliminate hepatitis C – a critical achievement upstream of liver cancers needed to achieve the Cancer Moonshot. The White House has aligned the community to focus on nutrition-related issues to address metabolic conditions like obesity – a major driver of NAFLD and NASH, which are also upstream of liver cancer. We are thrilled to see these national and international conversations align with our consistent message about the importance of the liver and the necessity of systemic advancement of liver health. Now is an exciting time.

In our ongoing quest to clarify misconceptions about liver disease and emphasize the critical role of the patient voice, we’ve been all over – from Bloomberg to Instagram Live to ABC7 to stages across the globe in front of researchers, advanced practitioners, clinicians, and more. Everyone can play a role in achieving equitable, widespread liver health – so we’re doing our part to make sure everyone knows about the liver.

Leadership in Liver Health Luncheon

On October 17, GLI honored two illustrious leaders in health at our second annual Leadership in Liver Health Luncheon. We recognized Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath with the Global Excellence in Health Equity Award and Dr. Leana Wen with the Global Excellence in Health Communications Award.

GLI around the World

Paris NASH Meeting

As global leaders strategized to combat the growing prevalence of NASH, GLI’s VP of Liver Health Programs (& resident NASH expert) Jeff McIntyre provided the sole patient advocacy perspective at the 8th Paris NASH Meeting, on September 8. We can’t wait to see the progress at the next Paris NASH Meeting!

Clinical Development and Operations Summit

In September, GLI participated in the 1st Clinical Development and Operations Summit in Prague by Boehringer Ingelheim. Our VP of Liver Health Programs, Jeff McIntyre had the chance to discuss big ideas in clinical trials with others in the patient community.

World Patients Conference

Giacomo Donnini, GLI’s Liver Health is Public Health program director, represented GLI and the voices of liver health patients at the World Patient Alliance’s 1st global conference in Rome, Italy.

Liver Cancers

#OctoberIs4Livers

#OctoberIs4Livers is in its 5th year! From raising awareness on social media to conversations with innovators to digging deep on equity issues, the month has been full so far!

New in 2022, we’re premiering a 3-part cooking show with Chef Daniel Thomas. Follow along the liver-healthy recipes on YouTube today!

One Liver to Love

Created in collaboration with Blue Faery and Eisai Inc., the One Liver to Love campaign aims to raise awareness about liver cancer and the importance of adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle choices to support liver health. By providing information, educational resources, support services and a sense of community for anyone impacted by liver cancer. For more information about the initiative, tips on navigating and living with liver cancer, as well as advocacy and support group information for patients and caregivers.

Baseball legend Bernie Williams goes to bat for the One Liver to Love initiative to help people living with liver cancer feel seen and supported in their experiences.

Policy & Advocacy

Advanced Advocacy Academy (A3)

A3 Caregiving and Well-Being Summit
Caregivers play an important role in a patient’s journey, and that can come with a significant physical and emotional toll. Learn about the intricacies of being a caregiver, ways to promote your own well-being, and other resources through this virtual summit hosted by GLI.

A3 Payer Summit
Insurance coverage, claims, and payment structures define an important portion of any patient’s experience in the U.S. These topics can sometimes fall to the wayside in conversations about liver health. Learn more from featured patient speakers and experts from the health insurance field, including Dr. Alex Oshmyansky, Founder & CEO of the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company.

6th Annual A3 Symposium

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 A3 Graduates! We delved into topics like digital health, advanced social media use and clinical trials and heard from speakers, including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Francis Collins, Acting Science Advisor to the President, Norah Terrault, MD, President-Elect at AASLD, and many more before preparing advocacy plans together. We are so excited to see what our A3 advocates do next!

Updates from the Liver Action Network (LAN)

On July 20th, the LAN submitted proclamation’s to all 50 states urging governors to formally recognize World Hepatitis Day by committing to instituting free hepatitis testing for all state employees. Initiating more testing aligns seamlessly with the CDC’s Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to Elimination 2021-2025, as the US has experienced a startling increase in hepatitis A, B, and C cases over the last decade.

Pediatric & Rare Liver Diseases

Global Genes Patient Advocacy Summit in San Diego

The Pediatric and Rare team attended the 2022 Rare Patient Advocacy Summit hosted by Global Genes in San Diego. GLI was pleased to engage with patients, caregivers, advocates, health professionals, researchers, partners, and allies at the Summit. We were also able to share our findings on the PBC patient experience with a poster presentation!

NASH

International NASH Day

Under the leadership of GLI, #NASHday 2022 was celebrated on June 9, attracting over 70 partners and participants from more than 70 countries, receiving endorsements from 22

international societies, and successfully launching events, liver health screenings, briefings, media outreach, and social media campaigns worldwide. Now entering its sixth year, we invite you to step up for patients, step up for early detection, step up for advocacy, #StepUpforNASH. Register for #NASHday 2023!

INASL & ICON-D Launches Survey as First Step Towards NAFLD Action Plan

In India, the overall prevalence of NAFLD in the general population is close to 40 percent and even higher in other areas. On the occasion of International NASH Day, the Indian National Association for the Study of Liver (INASL)- NAFLD Taskforce and Indian Consortium on NAFLD (ICON-D) announced the launch of an Action Plan for the prevention and control of NAFLD in India. In August, they formally launched a survey as the first step towards formulating this action plan. View the survey here.

Upcoming GLI Events

Upcoming Partner Events

GLI will be at The Liver Meeting!

Swing by to say hello at booth #237 or email info@globalliver.org to set up a meeting with us.

Attend a GLI-led session at TLM:

Nov. 4 at 10AM – Patient Community Conversation: Advanced Advocacy & GLI’s Liver Action Network
Nov. 5 at 9AM – Patient Keynote Address – Liver Health Equity: Overcoming Stigma, Access and Policy Barriers
Nov. 5 at 1PM – Meet the Experts dX8: Using Patient Advocacy to Advance Research in Chronic Liver Diseases
Nov. 6 at 4PM – NAFLD Nomenclature Consensus Process Update
Nov. 7 at 9AM – State-of-the-Art Lecture: Hepatocellular Carcinoma & NAFLD

November 9-11, 2022: 2022 Global Genes Rare Health Equity Summit Partners in Action

December 1, 2022: First Annual Primary Care NAFLD & NASH Summit 2022

Media Partners

Global Liver Institute Recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion

by lily | Oct 4, 2022 | Web Releases

Global Liver Institute Recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion

(Washington, DC – October 4, 2022) — Global Liver Institute (GLI), the premier patient-led liver health nonprofit operating worldwide, announces that the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recognized the organization as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

To be selected as a U.S. Healthy People 2030 Champion, GLI has consistently demonstrated a commitment to helping achieve the Healthy People 2030 vision of a society in which all people can achieve their full potential for health and well-being across the lifespan. ODPHP recognizes the nonprofit, a global leader in liver health, as part of a growing network of organizations partnering with ODPHP to improve health and well-being at the local, state, and tribal level.

“Addressing and destigmatizing liver health are directly tied to realizing Healthy People’s vision – and to our Liver Health is Public Health Campaign,” says GLI President and CEO, Donna R. Cryer, JD. “We are excited to work hand in hand with the Healthy People 2030 community to ensure liver health is recognized as integral to public health as we continue to raise awareness and provide resources that enable systems and individuals to lessen the global burden of liver disease.”

“ODPHP is thrilled to recognize Global Liver Institute for its work to support the Healthy People 2030 vision,” says RADM Paul Reed, MD, ODPHP Director. “Only by collaborating with partners nationwide can we achieve Healthy People 2030’s overarching goals and objectives.”

There are many things that a community can do to support the liver health of its members: ensure widespread hepatitis vaccination; promote a robust, nutritious food environment; nurture safe, accessible physical activity; maintain a thorough screening and surveillance program; and much more. The Liver Health is Public Health campaign aims to formalize these liver health priorities in policies at local, regional, national, and international levels while simultaneously raising public consciousness and destigmatizing liver health. Healthy People 2030 is the fifth iteration of the Healthy People initiative, which sets 10-year objectives to improve health and well-being throughout the U.S.

About Global Liver Institute

Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. Follow GLI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP)

ODPHP plays a vital role in keeping the nation healthy through Healthy People 2030, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, and other programs, services, and education activities. ODPHP is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about ODPHP, visit health.gov or follow @HealthGov on Twitter.

Healthy People 2030 Champion is a service mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Used with permission. Participation by Global Liver Institute does not imply endorsement by HHS/ODPHP.