Liver Health

woman holding drawing of sad liver

The liver performs hundreds of vital health functions, including processing food, medicine, alcohol, and toxins throughout the body. Research has demonstrated that differences in liver function and disease exist between women and men. The liver is an organ with an immense capacity for regenerating itself, but it can be damaged in permanent ways due to a variety of diseases. Moreover, many liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are becoming more prevalent in women, especially after menopause. The study of sex and gender differences in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver diseases is critical to improving health outcomes for both women and men.

Liver Health is part of the SWHR Liver Health Network.

Program Goals

  • Address the impact of the liver on women’s health across the lifespan, with a special focus on nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases and primary biliary cholangitis
  • Improve patient-provider communications around the diagnosis and treatment of chronic and progressive liver diseases
  • Highlight diverse experiences and stories of women living with liver diseases
  • Disseminate articles and educational materials to increase awareness and action among women about their liver health

Facts about Liver Health

4x

more women are affected by primary biliary cholangitis compared to men in the United States

19%

lower risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for women compared to men

20%

reduced likelihood for a woman to receive a liver transplant than a men

More about Liver Health