Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

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Help Fight Liver Disease Month

March 2011

The liver is an organ that helps clean our blood and digest fats. Despite the liver's important role, we rarely hear about it unless it is not performing as it should. This March, I encourage all Canadians to learn how to protect this vital organ.  

 Liver disease can affect people of all ages. The most common diagnosis among Canadians is fatty liver disease, in which fat makes up at least 5%-10% of the organ. Simple fatty liver does not usually lead to liver damage.  However, once there is a build-up of simple fat, inflammation and scarring of the liver is possible.

Other liver diseases are public health concerns worldwide. For instance, hundreds of millions of people are chronically infected with hepatitis B, and many will develop cirrhosis or cancer. In Canada, it's estimated that almost 500,000 people live with hepatitis B or C, two major causes of liver disease.

To help prevent liver disease, it's vital to learn about  risk factors. Since fatty liver disease is linked to obesity, it's important to follow Canada's Food Guide, avoid excessive alcohol, maintain a healthy weight and make  regular physical activity part of your healthy life.

Being aware of the risk factors for hepatitis B and C can help you protect yourself from these forms of liver disease. Many people acquire hepatitis B through sexual contact with an infected person, since body fluids contain the virus. Both hepatitis B and C can be spread by sharing contaminated needles, drug paraphernalia or personal care articles such as razors, scissors, nail clippers or toothbrushes. Also, an infected mother can pass it to her baby at the time of birth.

The Government of Canada strongly supports scientists working to identify causes of various liver diseases and find treatments. In 2010, the  Canadian Institutes of Health Research committed more than $14.7 millionto research directly related to chronic liver diseases. Through the  Canada Excellence Research Chairs program, launched in 2008, researchers can make or build on their scientific breakthroughs.  Dr. Michael Houghton, who identified the hepatitis C virus, is one example of how this program contributes valuable research as he works to develop low-cost vaccines against the hepatitis B and C viruses.

Publicly-funded, universal hepatitis B immunization programs are playing a key role in prevention. The reported rates of acute hepatitis B infection are declining, especially among the 10-19-year-old and 20-39-year-old age groups. Canadians at high risk for infection should talk to a doctor about getting immunized against the viruses that cause hepatitis B and another serious liver disease, hepatitis A.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the  Canadian Liver Foundation on its fundraising efforts and continuing support of research, advocacy and the education of health care professionals and Canadians.

During the month of March and throughout the year, I encourage Canadians to learn more about how they can protect themselves from liver disease.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada