US Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard gave a recent speech in November raising awareness about a looming health crisis for US people.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (or NASH), she declares, is looming in the shadows and threatens to be one of the most grave public health issues facing the US public in the next few years. NASH, or nonalcoholic liver damage, is a metabolic disease that can cause cirrhosis. If it is not treated, it can cause serious liver damage. In fact, if not treated, it may require a liver transplant or it can cause death.
In less than two years’ time in 2020, it is estimated that NASH will be the leading cause of liver transplants in the US.
NASH is often “silent.” This means that the symptoms usually do not arise until a lot of damage has already been done to a person’s liver. Many people in the United States already have NASH and are unaware they have the disease.
Currently, 12% of Americans have NASH. Unfortunately, Hispanic populations are disproportionately affected, with 19% having NASH. Even teenagers and children are at risk for NASH.
Lucille Roybal-Allard is the first Mexican American woman who has ever been elected to Congress. She has been elected since 1992 and has worked hard over the years to create jobs, improve health services, and create stronger, better educational opportunities for her citizens in California’s 40th Congressional District. She also ranks as one of the House’s foremost supporters of immigration reform. She is happy to bring this new health issue to the public.
She knows the challenge of preventing the devastating effects of NASH are huge and that change takes time but she want to start by spreading awareness of NASH so that people have a better chance of early diagnosis and recovery.
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard wants to have more diligent research on NASH and better access to health care for the public.
She says she is pushing for Americans to have full coverage health care that also includes annual wellness exams and doesn’t discriminate against preexisting conditions.
Read Congresswoman Lucille’s speech on NASH here.
