Study Projects Nearly 2 Billion People Affected by Metabolic Liver Disease by 2050
A new study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology projects that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) will affect 1.8 billion people globally by 2050. Currently impacting 1.3 billion individuals, or one in six people worldwide, the prevalence of MASLD has surged by 143% over the past three decades. The research, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, identifies high blood sugar, high body mass index (BMI), and smoking as the primary drivers of this increase. While the overall health burden remains stable due to improved care, the rising case numbers pose significant risks for future complications like cirrhosis and cancer. The study highlights disproportionate rates in North Africa and the Middle East, with significant increases also observed in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Experts urge policymakers to prioritize MASLD through targeted interventions and awareness campaigns, emphasizing lifestyle modifications to mitigate the growing global health crisis associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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Study Projects Nearly 2 Billion People Affected by Metabolic Liver Disease by 2050
A new study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology projects that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) will affect 1.8 billion people globally by 2050. Currently impacting 1.3 billion individuals, or one in six people worldwide, the prevalence of MASLD has surged by 143% over the past three decades. The research, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, identifies high blood sugar, high body mass index (BMI), and smoking as the primary drivers of this increase. While the overall health burden remains stable due to improved care, the rising case numbers pose significant risks for future complications like cirrhosis and cancer. The study highlights disproportionate rates in North Africa and the Middle East, with significant increases also observed in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Experts urge policymakers to prioritize MASLD through targeted interventions and awareness campaigns, emphasizing lifestyle modifications to mitigate the growing global health crisis associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The Guardian