Shared solutions
Because these diseases share causes, they can share solutions too.
Put liver health on the map.
Integrate MASLD/MASH into national and global obesity and broader NCD strategies, including screening, policy, and funding.
Focus on prevention.
Measures like taxing sugar-sweetened drinks, designing cities that support active living, and ensuring access to affordable, healthy food options can make a powerful difference.
Strengthen primary care.
Routine check-ups, simple blood tests, and non-invasive imaging can help detect problems early. A coordinated, multidisciplinary, person-centred approach can prevent progression while easing pressure on health systems.
Guarantee fair access to new treatments.
New medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are indicated for both obesity and MASH with fibrosis. But they must be made affordable and accessible to all, not just a few.
Expand universal health coverage.
Everyone should have access to preventive care, diagnostics, and treatment for metabolic conditions, regardless of income level, geographical location or migration status.
A shared opportunity
The numbers ahead are daunting: by2035, almost4 billion people could be living with obesity, and millions more could develop advanced liver disease. But this story isn’t fixed - and the future can look very different if we act together now.
We already know what works: prevention, early detection, and fair access to care. By combining efforts against obesity and MASLD, we can protect lives, ease the strain on health systems, and create healthier environments for generations to come.
Hope lies in integration and equity - in policies that see the whole person, not just the disease. By moving beyond blame and working collectively, we can turn these twin epidemics into a catalyst for stronger, fairer, and more compassionate health systems worldwide.
Together, we can rewrite the future of metabolic health - one where prevention is prioritised, care is accessible, and everyone has the opportunity to live well.
Obesity and Liver Health: Two sides of the same coin