PUBLIC POLICY
// GOVERNORS' VANTAGE POINT
SPREADING AWARENESS of
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease By Nahum Méndez-Sánchez, MD, MSc, PhD, FACG
PREVENTING LIVER DISEASES IN MEXICO: A PRIORITY
One of the most satisfying aspects of my work in recent years is the opportunity to participate in different campaigns about the prevention of liver diseases. In my country, and specifically in my hometown, Mexico City, I organize and lead several long walks and run races in favor of a healthy liver. These events help to warn the general population about the effects of NAFLD, especially because Mexico has a serious problem of obesity and diabetes which currently are the main risk factors to developing NAFLD and, ultimately, cirrhosis. We must take into account that 50% of patients with diabetes have steatosis and 100% of patients with obesity and diabetes have steatosis. In fact, liver cirrhosis is the fourth cause of death in Mexico. Moreover, our research team investigated the current etiologies of cirrhosis in Mexico and we conclude that NAFLD, together with alcohol, will soon become one of the most frequent causes of liver cirrhosis.
A CHANCE TO DO MORE Nevertheless, my activities at my place of work in Médica Sur Clinic & Foundation were limited to Mexico City and I felt that I could do more. So, I was excited last year when I received an invitation to participate in a TV show quite famous in all the country, called “Hoy” (which means “Today”), that has been on the air since 1994. I took the opportunity to spread awareness on national TV about NAFLD. In that very moment, it was something special since I diagnosed, just few days earlier, a patient with cirrhosis, and unfortunately the etiology was NASH. The day of the interview finally came. I arrived early at the studio where the members of the staff kindly received me. Immediately they prepared
Nahum Méndez-Sánchez, MD, MSc, PhD, FACG ACG Governor for Mexico, Médica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City
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