A new survey reveals that only 9% of Canadians prioritize their liver health, with the organ trailing far behind other aspects such as heart, mental, digestive, lung, and skin health. The study, released by Liver Canada (formerly the Canadian Liver Foundation), highlights a significant gap in awareness, even though one in four Canadians is affected by liver disease.
Jennifer Nebesky, president and CEO of Liver Canada, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about liver health: “Despite one in four Canadians being affected by liver disease, we now know that very few are truly prioritizing their liver health. This underscores the critical need for increased awareness on this issue.”
The survey, conducted by Abacus Data, polled 2,500 Canadians and found that liver health is the least considered aspect when assessing one’s overall well-being. However, individuals with a personal connection to liver disease were twice as likely to consider liver health a priority. The survey also revealed that many Canadians still hold outdated views about liver disease, with 84% attributing poor liver health primarily to alcohol consumption.
“When we focus solely on alcohol consumption, we overlook other factors that can have an equally significant, if not greater, impact on liver health,” Nebesky noted.
Liver cancer, once considered rare, is now one of the fastest-growing cancers in Canada, ranking as the fifth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Additionally, approximately 10 million Canadians are affected by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), commonly known as fatty liver disease, a figure expected to rise by 20% by 2030.
In light of the rising prevalence of liver disease and liver cancer, Liver Canada is committed to raising awareness and providing education, advocacy, and research support.
“We want Canadians to understand the crucial role liver health plays in their overall well-being,” said Nebesky. “This is why we’ve rebranded as Liver Canada—it’s a reflection of our dedication to addressing the growing liver health crisis in our country.”
Liver Canada’s Action Plan
Liver Canada aims to empower Canadians to take proactive steps toward better liver health through several initiatives:
Awareness: The organization continues its commitment to life-saving research, vital education, and advocacy campaigns, working to make a significant impact in the lives of Canadians.
Education in Schools: A new school-based program has been launched to help the next generation understand liver health, with workshops taking place in select schools throughout the 2024-2025 school year.
Prevention: Liver Canada promotes prevention through improved nutrition, lifestyle changes, and early screenings. They provide an information hub, liver-friendly recipes, and a toll-free helpline to support Canadians on their journey to better liver health.
Research: With over $38 million invested in liver research, Liver Canada has played a vital role in significant scientific advancements, including identifying the genes responsible for Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis and developing new treatments for hepatitis C. The organization continues to fund innovative studies aimed at combating all forms of liver disease.
As the awareness campaign intensifies, Liver Canada remains steadfast in its mission to address liver health concerns, aiming to reduce the growing burden of liver disease across the nation.
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