Advancing global equity in liver disease research funding: the case of metabolic dysfunction-associated and alcohol-associated liver disease

Globally, liver disease accounts for more than 2 million deaths and is the 11th leading cause of death annually. 1 Currently, there is a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of the liver, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), both of which are prominent aetiologies of cirrhosis. Despite the substantial disease burden, limited research funding in lower-income regions continues to hinder progress in liver disease prevention, treatment, and policy reform.