To support veterans at risk for or living with liver disease, the American Liver Foundation (ALF) has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) to boost liver disease awareness among former service members, according to an ALF news release.
Liver disease, which affects approximately 100 million Americans, refers to any condition that damages the liver and compromises its function. If left untreated, liver disease can lead to severe liver scarring known as cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and more.
Each year, about 100,000 veterans receive cirrhosis care in the VA, and more than 2,000 are diagnosed with liver cancer, according to ALF. Alcohol use disorder, autoimmune diseases, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other conditions can give rise to cirrhosis, according to Hep’s Health Basics on Cirrhosis.
“Everyone deserves optimal liver health, particularly veterans who risk their lives to serve around the world to protect and defend the United States, its citizens and interests worldwide,” said ALF CEO Lorraine Stiehl, in the release.
Through the partnership, ALF aims to increase awareness of liver health and quality health care services through a dedicated resource page for veterans on the ALF website as well as a YouTube channel and playlist created for veterans. What’s more, it will share educational resources and programming for veterans and improve support for veterans and their caregivers.
ALF’s programs will include World Liver Day, World Hepatitis Day and Liver Cancer Awareness Month as well as the national campaign “Think Liver Think Life,” which aims to raise awareness about liver disease risk, encourage screening and connect people with care.
A study found that about 80% of veterans with hepatitis C who received care through the VHA initiated antiviral treatment, and 92% went on to achieve a functional cure.
According to the VA, many veterans who have been treated for hepatitis C also struggle with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
Often referred to as “silent diseases,” MASLD and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH) are responsible for a growing proportion of advanced liver disease, mirroring a global rise in obesity. MASLD can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. With no effective approved medical therapies, management depends on lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise.
“Through this partnership with ALF, we’ll be able to better educate—and ultimately care for —veterans who have liver disease or are at risk of liver disease,” said Timothy Morgan, MD, the director of VA’s national liver disease program. “We look forward to working with ALF to help the more than 4 million veterans with risk factors for liver disease.”
To read more, click #Veteran. There, you’ll find headlines such as “Most Veterans With Hepatitis C Are Successfully Treated,” “Only Half of Veterans with Hepatitis B Cirrhosis Are on Treatment” and “What Would a Second Trump Presidency Look Like for Health Care?”
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