Liver Week – MASLD/MASH

Did you know that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)* is the most prevalent disease in human history? It is estimated to affect nearly two billion people worldwide and about 100 million individuals in the United States.

It can be hard to truly appreciate large numbers, like 100 million and two billion. Can you recall the last time you saw a billion of anything? Let’s think, for a moment, about those numbers in terms of time:

  • One million seconds is about 11.5 days
    • 100 million seconds is a little more than three years
  • One billion seconds is just shy of 32 years
    • Two billion seconds is about 63.5 years

MASLD is the most common form of liver disease in children and has more than doubled over the past 20 years. MASLD, and the more aggressive advanced form of the disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)*  has reached epidemic proportions in our country.

The American Liver Foundation is working diligently to raise awareness of this disease, associated illness like type 2 diabetes and obesity, and modifiable risk factors like diet and exercise.

*MASLD used to be called NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).

*MASHused to be called NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).

Medically reviewed on April 2025.

Last updated on June 12th, 2025 at 12:45 pm

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