World Liver Day (WLD) is observed annually on April 19 across the globe to create awareness about the importance of liver health and promote actions towards the prevention and management of liver-related diseases.
- WLD is a collaborative initiative led by major global associations dedicated to the study of the liver and liver diseases.
Theme:
i.The theme for WLD 2025 is ‘Food is Medicine’, emphasizes the essential role of nutrition in maintaining liver health.
ii.A balanced diet, particularly one rich in whole foods, plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of liver disorders and improving overall liver function.
Background :
i.World Liver Day(WLD) was first launched in India in 2019 to spread awareness about increasing liver disease cases.
ii.In 2023, major international liver health organisations expanded this initiative into a global observance.
iii.These organisations are collectively advocating the World Health Organization (WHO) to formally recognise April 19 as World Liver Day worldwide.
Collaborating Organisations Include:
- Geneva (Switzerland) based European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)
- Tokyo (Japan) based Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL)
- Virginia (the United States of America, USA) based American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)
- Santiago (Chile) based Asociacion Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Higado (ALEH)
- Abuja (Nigeria) based Society on Liver Disease in Africa (SOLDA)
The Liver: A Vital Organ:
i.The liver is the second-largest and most crucial organ, weighing about 1,200-1,500 grams, in the human body.
ii.It is a vital organ positioned in the upper right section of the abdomen, located just beneath the diaphragm and above the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
iii.The Liver performing essential functions such as:
- Filtering toxins from the blood
- Aiding digestion by producing bile
- Storing energy in the form of glycogen
- Regulating immune responses
Global Burden of Liver Diseases:
- Approximately 20 lakh (2 million) people die annually from liver-related illnesses.
- Liver cirrhosis accounts for 50% of these deaths, while viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) contribute to the rest.
- Cirrhosis is the 11th leading cause of death globally, while liver cancer ranks 16th worldwide and 10th in India.
Key Risk Factors:
i.Alcohol Consumption:Around 200 crore (2 billion) people consume alcohol globally, with 7.5 to 10 crore (75-100 million) at risk of alcohol-related liver disease.
ii.Obesity & Diabetes:200 crore (2 billion) adults are overweight/obese, and 40 crore (400 million) have diabetes, increasing risks of:
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- Liver cancer
iii.Viral Hepatitis & Drug-Induced Liver Injury
- Viral hepatitis remains a major concern.
- Drug-induced liver injury is a leading cause of acute hepatitis, with new cases expected to rise by 35% by 2030 compared to 2005.
