Our response to MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is a condition characterised by excess fat build-up in the liver and is linked to multiple better-known conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, kidney disease and cancer. It affects the health of over 6.5 million Australians.

We believe that all Australians should have access to the information and support they need to prevent, manage, and live well with MASLD. Guided by world leading research and metabolic and liver health experts, including people with lived experience, we are taking the critical steps needed to mobilise national action on this growing health crisis.

Here’s how we plan to Activate, Amplify, and Advocate in our efforts to turn the tide on MASLD.

Recognising the opportunity to take a more holistic, integrated and patient-centred approach to preventive health, we are convening experts across liver and metabolic health to drive a coordinated response to MASLD. Rather than focusing on diseases and body parts we continue to pursue opportunities to collaboratively support an improvement in overall health and wellbeing of Australians.

We began by convening the inaugural National MASLD Symposium in October 2024. At this event, we brought together over 60 experts to share knowledge and identify priority actions to improve the experiences and outcomes of people with, and at risk of developing, MASLD.

Read the summary report of the outputs and actions arising from our inaugural Symposium – “From Insights to Action“.

Get involved:

MASLD Action Network

We bring together a national network of multidisciplinary experts who are committed to making MASLD a national public health priority.

Through the MASLD Action Network, members share knowledge, generate resources and collaborate on projects that will raise the national profile of MASLD for better quality of life and health system experiences of affected Australians.

We are currently welcoming new members with a view to expand this network and deepen our work together. Read more about what we are working on and how you can get involved here.

Sector Collaboration

Our focus is to engage and collaborate with other metabolic health organisations to enhance public knowledge and advocate for systems change. This way, we can leverage and align our efforts for not only better liver health outcomes but, more broadly, better metabolic health outcomes in Australia.

Leveraging existing national strategies, plans, resources and expertise, LiverWELL is joining forces with aligned organisations to strengthen Australia’s approach to metabolic health and advocate for change together.

If you are interested in collaborating with us, please reach out at liverhealth@liverwell.org.au.

We are committed to amplifying the voices of people with lived experience of MASLD to inform actions and policies.

In partnership with Deakin University’s Health Consumers Centre and through deep consultation with people with lived experience, we are developing an evidence-based framework grounded in guiding principles that are a good fit for the communities that we support.

These principles guide our engagement with people with lived experiences, and this engagement informs our work to ensure it is grounded in the realities of living with MASLD, shaping initiatives that address real needs.

Get involved:

If you are a person with lived experience of MASLD and would like to contribute to shaping the work that will support positive change, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch at liverhealth@liverwell.org.au.

We are supporting and advocating for better awareness and understanding of MASLD, both across the general public and the health system.

Through our government engagement and public campaigning work, we are equipping Australians with the knowledge and confidence to care for their livers while also advocating for systemic change to improve outcomes for people living with MASLD.

Get Involved:

If you would like to learn more about our government engagement work, please contact ariane@liverwell.org.au.

Our online SLD Information Hub contains information about steatotic liver disease, where you can learn about its symptoms, contributing factors, diagnostic practices, testing and association with other health conditions.

Read the summary report of the outputs and actions arising from our inaugural National MASLD Symposium – “From Insights to Action”.

For more information about our MASLD work, please reach out to us at liverhealth@liverwell.org.au.