Breaking Down Barriers in Liver Health
Liver Disease in Hispanic/Latino Communities: A Growing Concern
Liver disease is an increasing public health concern affecting an estimated 80–100 million people in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Hispanic/Latino individuals have the highest mortality rate from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
Cultural Barriers
Many liver diseases are diagnosed too late, when treatment options are limited and patient outcomes are poorer. Factors that contribute to delays in diagnosis and care within the Hispanic/Latino community include:
- Limited access to healthcare
- Language barriers
- Cultural mistrust of the healthcare system
- Lack of awareness about liver disease
These barriers are not just statistics, they’re a culmination of inequities affecting real adults, children and families. Patty Medina, a passionate American Liver Foundation (ALF) Liver Life Advocate® and second generation Mexican American, knows this firsthand. Her grandmother, Paula de la Cruz, came to the U.S. from Mexico with the dream of giving her family a better life. Like many immigrants, she faced barriers such as lack of health insurance, limited access to care in her language, and no one to help guide her through a complex healthcare system. Due to these challenges, Paula never received education, support, or preventive care that could have detected her liver disease early. Instead, due to inadequate screening and lack of resources, her disease went unnoticed until it was too late. She passed away in 2018 from liver cancer, a loss that may have been prevented. Patty said, “The healthcare system failed my grandma, and I advocate to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.” Now, as a public health professional Patty advocates for improved outreach, education, and research in culturally and ethnically diverse communities.
Risk Factors
One form of liver disease disproportionately affecting Hispanic/Latino communities, impacting a striking 58%, is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the buildup of excess fat in the liver. MASLD is more common in Hispanic/Latino populations due to:
- Genetic risk factors
- Diet high in carbohydrates
- Higher rates of obesity
- Increased prevalence of type-2 diabetes
If left untreated, MASLD can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and the need for a life-saving liver transplant.
Prevention & Advancements
Raising awareness and providing culturally tailored education and bilingual resources are key to improving outcomes. New advancements such as The American Liver Foundation Patient Registry, the first-ever patient registry for all types of liver diseases, now also available in Spanish, will help researchers better understand how liver diseases affect Hispanic/Latino communities and improve treatments.
Act Now
- Find out if you’re at risk for MASLD at thinkliverthinklife.org/prueba
- Incorporate healthy lifestyle tips into your daily routine
- Help advance liver research, treatments, and cures
- Advocate for change—just like Patty
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually between September 15th through October 15th, and we are putting the spotlight on voices like Patty’s—voices that turn grief into powerful action. Through advocacy, culturally tailored education, bilingual resources, and groundbreaking research initiatives, ALF is working to break down barriers, improve early detection, and ensure that nobody is left behind in the fight against liver disease. Together we can create a world free from liver disease. To read or share Patty’s story in Spanish, click here.