Geneva, 18 February 2026 – The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) has called on WHO Member States to support a landmark World Health Organization (WHO) draft resolution, “Steatotic Liver Disease – A Missing Piece in the Global Noncommunicable Disease Response” [EB158/CONF./7]. EASL welcomes the resolution as a critical step toward recognising steatotic liver disease (SLD) as a core component of the global noncommunicable disease (NCD) agenda.
The resolution represents an important opportunity to integrate liver disease into global NCD frameworks, prevention strategies, and health system planning. It highlights the strong links between SLD and major conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease, underscoring the need for coordinated prevention and care.
“Steatotic liver disease is a growing global health challenge that has been overlooked for far too long,” said Debbie Shawcross, EASL Secretary General. “This WHO resolution recognises the urgent need to embed liver health into NCD prevention and care strategies and offers a pathway toward more effective public health responses worldwide.”
EASL also welcomes recognition that liver disease often results from overlapping metabolic and alcohol-related causes. With the global burden of SLD projected to rise sharply—including among children and adolescents—urgent action is needed to prevent long-term health and economic consequences.
The inclusion of this resolution at the Seventy-Ninth World Health Assembly reflects growing global recognition of liver disease as a public health priority.
Call to Action
EASL urges all WHO Member States to vote in favour of the resolution at the upcoming World Health Assembly and to commit to its full adoption and implementation. EASL stands ready to support WHO, Member States, and global partners in advancing this agenda and ensuring liver health is fully integrated into the global NCD response.
EASL’s Full Position Statement:
Read the full position statement here
About EASL
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is a leading global medical association dedicated to advancing research, education, policy, and clinical care to improve liver health and promote the prevention and treatment of liver diseases worldwide.
Contact:
Irene Mosqueira
irene.mosqueira@easloffice.eu