Statement to the 79th World Health Assembly - Obesity and Liver

World Obesity welcomes the adoption of the resolution on Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD). Obesity, Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease share key underlying metabolic drivers and are increasing in prevalence globally.

Despite their growing burden, obesity and MASLD continue to be overlooked within health systems and policy responses, while stigma and misconceptions delay diagnosis and undermine care.

SLD should not be understood as an isolated condition, but as part of the broader and growing global burden of metabolic disease linked to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

We welcome the resolution’s emphasis on integrating SLD within existing NCD and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) strategies, strengthening prevention, early detection and long-term management, and moving towards more coordinated and integrated responses to metabolic disease across NCD and UHC frameworks at a time when health systems are increasingly confronting interconnected chronic diseases together.