S5 - E1.4 - SurfingMASH Is Back! Reframing "Liver Awareness" In The Context Of US DTC Advertising

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After a month off in January, SurfingMASH returns for the 2024 calendar year. In this conversation, the group explores the goal of provider and patient liver education, key goals for liver awareness and the potential for direct-to-consumer advertising of GLP-1s for weight loss to garble the "liver awareness" message. 

The dialogue underscores the concern that the convenience of telemedicine and the allure of easily accessible obesity treatments might lead patients to overlook comprehensive health assessments, especially for liver disease. The conversation reveals a broader concern about the health system's ability to ensure that treatments like Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug are used responsibly and with proper medical oversight.

Louise emphasizes the importance of being "liver aware" and advocates for integrating liver health into overall health assessments. She suggests that everyone, especially those prescribed weight loss medications, should have basic liver function tests to identify any underlying liver conditions that could be exacerbated by such treatments. The discussion also touches on the dangers of the black market and non-prescribed use of weight loss drugs, highlighting the need for education and responsible prescribing practices.

The conversation shifts to the potential impact of drug approval publicity and the need for health systems to educate both patients and healthcare providers on the comprehensive management of obesity, including liver health considerations. The speakers express concern that the hype around new treatments could overshadow the importance of holistic health assessments and lead to missed opportunities for diagnosing and treating liver disease.