Liver Disease Rise: Fatty Liver Day 2025
Global fatty Liver Day Spotlights Rising Metabolic Disease Threat
Updated June 13, 2025
Teh Global Liver Institute (GLI) marked Global Fatty Liver Day, calling for immediate action on steatotic liver disease (SLD). The condition, a major metabolic disease, is increasingly prevalent yet often undiagnosed.
Celebrated annually on the second Thursday in June, Global Fatty Liver Day raises awareness of the public health crisis posed by fatty liver disease and its connection to metabolic dysfunction.
Fatty liver disease, encompassing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), and metabolic dysfunction-associated alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD), impacts nearly 40% of people worldwide. projections indicate over 122 million U.S. adults will have MASLD by 2050. Despite this, many remain undiagnosed until severe liver damage occurs.
Larry R. Holden, president and CEO of GLI, emphasized the liver’s critical role. “Fatty liver disease is now one of the clearest and most urgent signs of global metabolic dysfunction,” Holden said. He urged health leaders and policymakers to prioritize liver health to prevent liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases.
Untreated fatty liver disease can lead to inflammation,fibrosis,cirrhosis,liver cancer,and death. MASH has become a leading cause of liver transplantation and a driver of primary liver cancer in the U.S.
A 2024 analysis showed liver cancer cases more than doubled globally between 1990 and 2021, with deaths increasing by 102.5%. Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common liver cancer, is frequently enough linked to hepatitis, alcohol use, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Researchers identified NASH as a rapidly growing contributor to liver cancer, underscoring the need for early intervention.
GLI’s 2025 campaign highlights the connection between fatty liver disease and other metabolic conditions:
- Up to 75% of individuals with type 2 diabetes also have MASLD.
- Over 70% of those with MASLD live with obesity.
- Between 20% and 80% of people with elevated cholesterol or triglycerides also have fatty liver disease.
Sharon Jaycox, PhD, fatty liver disease program director at GLI, stated, ”fatty liver disease is not just about the liver—it’s about the entire metabolic ecosystem.” She advocated for early detection and treatment of metabolic dysfunction through education, liver screening, and equitable access to diagnostics and care.
GLI advocates for integrating liver screening into routine care for patients with obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic risks. They also urge education for clinicians and the public on MASLD, MASH, and MetALD, expanded access to noninvasive diagnostics, and prioritized funding for liver disease.
“Fatty liver disease is now one of the clearest and most urgent signs of global metabolic dysfunction.On global Fatty Liver Day, we call on health care leaders, policymakers, and the public to recognize the liver’s central role in preventing not just liver disease—but cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. Liver health must rise to the top of public health agendas globally.”
What’s next
The Global Liver Institute plans to continue its awareness efforts, pushing for policy changes and increased research funding to combat the growing threat of steatotic liver disease and its related metabolic complications.