Liver Foundation Welcomes WHO Move to Recognise Liver Disease
Liver Foundation welcomes the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board’s decision to advance proposals to formally recognise liver disease and inherited blood disorders within the global definition of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This decision marks an important step forward in strengthening international recognition of conditions that contribute significantly to preventable illness and premature death but have historically been under-represented in global NCD frameworks.
Liver disease affects one in three Australians, making it one of the most common chronic health conditions in the community. The most prevalent form is metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which is closely linked to metabolic risk factors and frequently co-exists with other NCDs, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Inherited blood disorders also represent lifelong conditions that require coordinated, long-term care and systematic inclusion in public health planning.
For Liver Foundation and the broader liver health community, the WHO’s decision reflects a growing international consensus that liver disease and blood disorders must be addressed as part of an integrated, whole-of-life approach to chronic disease prevention and management. Formal inclusion within the NCD framework creates new opportunities to strengthen prevention, promote earlier detection, including in primary care settings, and improve coordination across health systems.
Earlier identification of liver disease remains critical. Many people living with MAFLD and other liver conditions remain undiagnosed until advanced disease has developed, limiting treatment options and increasing the risk of liver cancer and other serious complications. Embedding liver health within NCD strategies supports more effective risk assessment, timely intervention, and better health outcomes.
Liver Foundation welcomes the leadership shown by the WHO Executive Board and acknowledges the sustained efforts of the global liver and blood health communities in advancing this recognition. We support continued international and national action to ensure liver disease and inherited blood disorders are appropriately reflected in policy, funding, and health system responses.
We look forward to continuing to work with governments, clinicians, researchers, and community organisations to strengthen prevention, improve early detection, and ensure equitable access to care for people affected by liver disease and blood disorders in Australia.
