2020 GLI NASH Program Accomplishments

As communities around the world continue to fight COVID-19 and prevent additional waves, our cities and towns are also increasingly battling the NAFLD and NASH epidemic. NASH is a global public health challenge that is only increasing in prevalence, and Global Liver Institute (GLI) is dedicated to turning that tide. On a positive note, this year’s heightened focus on healthcare has provided an opportunity for the liver health community to work more collaboratively across specialty areas to examine how countries are addressing NAFLD and NASH. Thus, even in a year of great challenge, GLI has made large strides in our work to increase awareness, diagnostic options, and treatments for NASH.

In 2020, we hosted our largest International NASH Day yet, with more than 80 partners from around the world. For the first time, NASH Day was endorsed by the major hepatology organizations in the United States and Europe – the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (EASL). Read more in our Summary Report.

Our additional NASH initiatives have also made headway. The GLI NASH Council has continued to grow and expand global reach, welcoming new members and partners in pharmacology, diagnostics, medical societies, patient organizations, research, and NGOs. To lead the coordination of NASH-related advocacy and programs, the NASH Council launched GLI’s first NASH Action Plan in December. In September, we shared a new resource, The Language of NASH, to unite the liver community and project strong, clear messaging. That same month, we launched our Beyond the Biopsy initiative with a national radio tour. 

In 2021, we will continue to heighten the impact of our initiatives and look for opportunities to extend our reach. In January 2020, for instance, through a grant from Pfizer, Inc., we’re launching a new initiative, “A Critical Appraisal of Non-Invasive Technologies in NASH: Informing the Future of NASH Diagnosis and Assessment,” with our partners, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, Center for Continuing Professional Development, and Integritas Communications (read more). Our staff has grown to support our work and we foresee continued growth ahead.

Thank you for your support this year and your dedication to advocacy in a virtual world. Looking ahead to 2021 and a global effort to safely resume in-person activities, we will continue to amplify the voice of patients with liver diseases and ensure their concerns are heard by industry, healthcare providers, legislators, regulators, and community organizations. COVID-19 has shown that we can make transformational change in healthcare when all stakeholders are focused on solving problems for people with people.