Preventing Liver Disease Incidence through Education

There are more than 100 liver diseases. Liver disease is caused by genetic factors, viral infections and unhealthy lifestyle choices, including poor nutrition. Unhealthy lifestyle choices can result in the onset or spread of liver disease, which can lead to serious health complications, liver cancer, liver failure and even death. Lack of information and awareness of liver disease and its risk factors has negatively impacted incidence rates and perpetuated myths about liver disease.

The American Liver Foundation's (ALF) core education programs “Love Your Liver” (for youth audiences), “Treatment Choices Initiative” (for audiences with or at high risk for hepatitis C infection) and “Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” (for patient and public audiences) address general liver health concepts and define specific liver disease prevention strategies. The “Love Your Liver” program has reached more than 4,000 school-aged participants through 115 programs since October 2008. The change in knowledge for program participants is 135% for elementary school students and 83% for middle and high school students. The “Treatment Choices Initiative” has reached more than 3,100 individuals with or at high risk for hepatitis C infection through 97 programs since January 2007. The change in knowledge for participants is 58%. ALF's “Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” program will be implemented in October 2009.

Targeted education programs help to decrease the onset and spread of liver disease by increasing awareness about the liver and defining the healthy choices that individuals can make to maximize liver health. This presentation will describe the program models and present initial findings.