Chronic Liver Disease in Europe Raises Public Health Alarm

Key Summary

• • A new report in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe warns that chronic liver disease is becoming a major public health challenge across Europe.
  • One in three people in the EU and UK may be living with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
  • Alcohol-related liver disease, obesity, diabetes, and viral hepatitis continue to drive liver-related deaths and liver cancer.
  • Experts are calling for earlier liver fibrosis screening, stronger alcohol policies, and integrated liver care within primary healthcare systems.
  • The report highlights stigma, delayed diagnosis, and gaps in prevention strategies as major barriers to care.
  • Explore All Hepatology CME Conferences & Online Courses

Europe Faces a Growing Chronic Liver Disease Crisis

Chronic liver disease is becoming one of Europe’s most pressing public health concerns, according to a new Series published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. Led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), the report gathered contributions from more than 75 experts across 30 countries.

The report identifies chronic liver disease as the second leading cause of years of working life lost in Europe, behind only ischemic heart disease. Researchers warn that liver disease increasingly affects working-age adults, particularly men and socially disadvantaged populations.

Why Is Chronic Liver Disease Increasing in Europe?

The Series points to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) as a rapidly growing contributor to liver-related illness. Experts estimate that nearly one in three individuals in the EU and UK currently live with MASLD, which has emerged as a major driver of liver cancer.

Alcohol consumption also remains a significant concern. Europe continues to report the world’s highest per-person alcohol intake and heavy episodic drinking rates. Researchers estimate that alcohol contributes to nearly 40% of Europe’s 287,000 premature liver-related deaths each year.

The report further highlights the combined impact of obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and viral hepatitis infections on liver health outcomes. Hepatitis B and C remain responsible for a substantial proportion of infectious disease-related deaths across Europe.

Experts Call for Earlier Detection and Integrated Liver Care

Healthcare leaders involved in the report emphasized that liver disease should no longer remain confined to hepatology services alone. Instead, they recommend integrating liver health assessments into primary care and broader non-communicable disease strategies.

What Are the Recommended Public Health Strategies?

The authors recommend:

• Routine liver fibrosis assessments alongside cholesterol and blood pressure screening
• Better integration of liver disease into obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular, and cancer prevention programs
• Expanded access to viral hepatitis treatment and harm reduction services
• Stronger alcohol control policies
• Improved surveillance systems and earlier community-based detection
• Reducing stigma surrounding alcohol-related and metabolic liver disease

Patient advocates involved in the report also stressed that stigma and judgment continue to delay diagnosis and reduce engagement with healthcare services.

Researchers believe earlier diagnosis through non-invasive fibrosis testing and community screening could significantly reduce progression to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and premature death.

Explore All Hepatology CME Conferences & Online Courses

The Series was released ahead of the European Association for the Study of the Liver Congress in Barcelona, where experts are expected to discuss new prevention and liver disease management strategies for Europe’s growing healthcare burden.

Source:

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)