Priority actions for elevating liver health in Canada: A call to action

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Chronic liver disease (CLD) presents a significant and escalating health challenge in Canada.
• The physical, psychosocial, and financial impact of CLD necessitates urgent attention and strategic planning.
• Existing international frameworks for liver health improvement lack a Canadian-specific strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the absence of a national strategy for managing chronic liver disease in Canada.
• To review the current burden of CLD, identify management gaps, and explore opportunities for improvement.
• To inform the development of a comprehensive approach to CLD care and prevention.

Main Methods:

• Convening a multidisciplinary group of Canadian healthcare providers involved in CLD management.
• Analyzing the existing burden of chronic liver disease within the Canadian context.
• Identifying key gaps and opportunities in the current identification and management of progressive CLD.

Main Results:

• Significant physical, psychosocial, and financial burdens associated with CLD in Canada were identified.
• Gaps in the current management of chronic liver disease were highlighted.
• Key opportunities for enhancing the identification and management of individuals at risk for progressive CLD were outlined.

Conclusions:

• Canada requires a dedicated strategy to combat the growing epidemic of chronic liver disease.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for improving CLD identification and management.
• Addressing identified gaps and opportunities can lead to better health outcomes for Canadians affected by CLD.