On June 3, 2025, the European Parliament hosted a pivotal event that signalled a turning point in the fight against a silent but pervasive public health threat: Steatotic (Fatty) Liver Disease. Titled “Fatty Liver & NCDs: A European Policy Action”, the event brought together patient leaders, medical experts, policymakers, and public health advocates to call for a unified strategy to address liver health as part of Europe’s broader approach to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Organised by the European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA), co-hosted by MEPs Michalis Hadjipantela (Cyprus, EPP) and Irena Joveva (Slovenia, Renew), and attended by several MEPs and assistants, the gathering underscored a growing cross-party consensus: liver disease is not a niche issue. It is a pan- European epidemic linked to cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions—and it demands coordinated, urgent political action. Both MEPs shared a strong message about how, as policymakers, they are responsible for strengthening health systems, promoting liver screening programs, and ensuring no patient is left behind.
The Patient Voice: Front and Centre
The first panel, “The Patient Perspective: Navigating Liver Disease Across Borders,” highlighted lived experiences across Europe and beyond. Representatives from Cyprus, Israel, Denmark, France, Finland, and Spain painted a vivid picture of the daily struggle faced by people affected by liver disease—and the system-wide gaps in care and recognition.
Marko Korenjak, ELPA President, opened the event by framing Steatotic (Fatty) Liver Disease as “a silent epidemic.” Steatotic (Fatty) liver disease (SLD) is one of the most widespread liver conditions in Europe, affecting up to 25% of the adult population. Closely tied to metabolic dysfunction, SLD often begins silently but progresses over time to cirrhosis and, increasingly, liver cancer. Liver cancer is now one of the fastest-growing causes of cancer-related deaths in Europe. He pointedly asked why, despite clear links to major NCDs, liver disease remains marginal in national and EU-level health strategies. This theme was echoed throughout the discussion. Patients aren’t just calling for awareness—they are demanding structural change.
Bridging Silos: An Alliance of Associations
The true innovation of the event lay in its second panel, “Advocacy in Action.” Here, an unprecedented alliance took the stage: the European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA), the European Coalition for People living with Obesity (ECPO), the International Diabetes Federation Europe (IDFE), and the Global Heart Hub (GHH). Their message was unified and unambiguous: to tackle Steatotic (Fatty) Liver Disease, Europe must abandon siloed disease strategies and adopt integrated approaches that address shared root causes. This is why patient associations were also joined by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) representative.
This patient representative alliance formally launched a Call to Action—first drafted in Lisbon in November 2024 under the initiative Bridging the Gaps—marking a new era in cross-disease advocacy. For the first time, patient associations from different disease areas co-authored a policy vision, elevating liver disease to its rightful place in the NCD agenda.
David Kelly of the Global Heart Hub summarised the spirit of the Call: “This document isn’t just a list of demands. It’s a declaration of unity from communities that share risk factors and solutions. It shows the power of working together.”
Linking Disease to Systems: Public Health over Personal Blame
Much of the discussion focused on breaking the persistent narrative that liver disease is solely the result of poor lifestyle choices. Professor Shira Zelber- Sagi of EASL emphasised the role of commercial and social determinants of health. “This is not just about individuals. It’s about how we build our food systems, cities, and social protections,” she urged governments to act on upstream factors that drive disease.
Alessandro Gallina of EPHA echoed this call, criticising the EU’s limited public health focus during the current legislative term. “We need to respond to NCDs with integrated, system-wide policies,” he stated. “The narrative must shift to systemic responsibility and political will.” He also added the fundamental importance of fully implementing Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan since the link between cancer and many NCD risk factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and alcohol, is well-established.
The Future: Integration and Prevention
When asked about the obstacles to integrated care, Marko Korenjak didn’t hesitate: “The biggest challenge is the silo mentality. Ministries, budgets, disease areas—all fragmented. Integrated prevention means addressing common risk factors and giving patients a voice at every step.”
A consistent theme across all panellists was the need for integrated care. Elisabeth Dupont of IDFE advocated for diabetes screening programs that also test for liver disease, noting the high comorbidity rates. “Screening early allows us to intervene preventatively,” she said.
Vicki Mooney of ECPO highlighted stigma as a barrier to care for people living with obesity and liver disease. “Healthcare professionals often overlook liver symptoms in people with obesity. Worse, patients internalise stigma and delay seeking help. We must train providers to recognise and respect the full picture.”
Looking ahead, several speakers called for standardised EU-wide liver screening protocols, particularly for high-risk groups such as people living with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In addition, they pointed out how the European Commission consider integrating liver health into the next NCD framework and the forthcoming European Cardiovascular Health Plan.
Beyond the Event: Building a Movement
From the liver community, the call is loud and clear:
- Integrate liver disease into national and EU-level NCD plans.
- Implement and update the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
- Include liver disease as a key component of the upcoming European Cardiovascular Health Plan.
- Develop screening strategies across primary care systems.
- Fund public health interventions that tackle the commercial determinants of health.
- Recognise and resource cross-disease patient alliances.
This was more than just a health event—it marked the beginning of a growing coalition driven by patients, grounded in science, and speaking directly to EU lawmakers. Building on this momentum, ELPA will organise a second event in early December 2025, in the European Parliament, continuing to place liver health at the heart of the broader conversation on chronic disease prevention and health system resilience.
As Marko Korenjak reflected on the Lisbon meeting where the Call to Action was born, he asked: “What happens when different communities realise they’re not alone in their fight? They form a movement. That’s what’s happening now.”
Click here to read ELPA’s Call to Action
The European Liver Patient Association (ELPA) is a member-based, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the interests of people affected by liver disease across Europe. ELPA represents liver patients regardless of their origin, lifestyle, or type of liver condition. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, ELPA works to ensure that patient engagement is meaningful and patients’ voices are central to healthcare decisions. ELPA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all liver patients by promoting equitable access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care across the continent. For more visit https://elpa.eu/
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