European NASH Summit 2023. Fatty Liver, is this another pandemic? For a healthier future, for our children

On June 9, 2023, International NASH Day, ELPA organised a high-level event in the European Parliament to discuss Fatty Liver from different perspectives and to present a Manifesto and a Call to Action.The meeting started with a welcome speech and greetings by Mr Marko Korenjak, ELPA President, followed by the Member of the European Parliament, MrLoucasFourlas, Group of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) from the Republic of Cyprus, addressing the topic from a political point of view. After an introduction by MsYiannoulaKoulla, leader of the ELPA Fatty Liver Working Group, there was a presentation by Prof Dr Alexander Krag M.D, EASL. He stressed how scientific & patient communities must fight side by side for young liver patients. Dr Alessandro Gallina, PhD, EPHA, presented the impact of prevention programmes on public health in the EU. Elena Balestra, EPF, gave an overview of tackling the challenge of chronic disease from the patient’s perspective. Prof Dr Sven Franque M.D, Antwerp University, pointed out how NAFLD is highly prevalent in children, and overweight/obesity is a major risk factor. Donna Cryer, GLI, showed how only a global effort can reduce the burden of liver disease. Dr Andreea Ciudin M.D, El Valld’Hebron Barcelona Hospital, pointed out that in the WHO Europe region, less than half (43%) of the children consume fresh fruit daily. Primary prevention and management of obesity are essential components. If we succeed, this response can reduce not only overweight and obesity levels but also the burden of non-communicable diseases. AlexandruPopovici, EuropeActive, stressed how healthy lifestyle and prevention education must be part of school programmes. And presented two examples of Erasmus+ programmes: HEPA and EUMove project. Prof Dr Bart Koot M.D, ESPGHAN, listed what is needed to effectively detect and treat children with NASH: improvement in tools to detect NAFLD/advanced NAFLD, more knowledge of natural history, more knowledge of risk factors for the complicated course, cost-effectiveness studies, improvement in treatment: lifestyle-drugs, awareness among health care workers, and prevention. Before the closing remarks by Mr Marko Korenjak, ELPA President, a Manifesto and a Call to Action was presented with the commitment to define, in the near future, concrete action for each of the 6 points stressed in the document.