Liver Awareness Month
October 1 - October 31
About Liver Awareness Month
Liver Awareness Month takes place every October and is dedicated to raising public understanding of liver health, the causes and symptoms of liver disease, and the steps people can take to protect one of the body’s hardest-working organs. Led in the United States by the American Liver Foundation, the month-long observance encourages risk assessment, healthier lifestyles, and earlier conversations about liver health.
What is Liver Awareness Month?
Liver Awareness Month is an annual health observance held throughout October that focuses attention on liver disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The American Liver Foundation (ALF) anchors the campaign in the United States, using the month to promote free risk quizzes, healthy meal plans, educational webinars, and community fundraising events. October is also recognised as Liver Cancer Awareness Month, so the two causes are frequently marked together. The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and performs more than 500 functions, yet liver disease often progresses silently, which makes awareness and early screening so valuable.
When is Liver Awareness Month?
Liver Awareness Month runs for the whole of October. In 2026 it begins on Thursday, 1 October and continues through Saturday, 31 October. The observance is fixed to the month of October each year, so the dates never change, and it coincides with Liver Cancer Awareness Month throughout the same period.
Why Liver Awareness Month Matters
Liver disease is far more common than many people realise. The American Liver Foundation estimates that more than 100 million people in the United States have some form of liver disease, yet only around 4.5 million adults have received a formal diagnosis. Steatotic liver disease, formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is present in up to 75 per cent of people who are overweight and in more than 90 per cent of people living with severe obesity. More than 40,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with liver cancer each year. Crucially, many liver conditions can be slowed or even reversed through changes to diet, exercise, and alcohol consumption when they are caught early, which is exactly why a dedicated month of awareness can make a measurable difference.
How to Get Involved in Liver Awareness Month
There are many simple ways to support the cause and look after your own liver health throughout October:
- Take a liver risk quiz – The American Liver Foundation offers a free online quiz that helps you understand whether you may be at risk of liver disease or liver cancer, a quick first step towards a conversation with your doctor.
- Book a check-up – Ask your GP or physician about a simple blood test to assess liver function, particularly if you have risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or a history of heavy drinking.
- Try a liver-friendly meal plan – Swap processed and high-sugar foods for vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to ease the load on your liver.
- Cut back on alcohol – Reducing or pausing alcohol intake for the month gives your liver a chance to recover and is a meaningful way to mark the occasion.
- Join a Liver Life Walk – The American Liver Foundation hosts signature walks that bring patients, families, and supporters together to raise funds and awareness.
- Share educational resources – Post verified facts and links from trusted liver health organisations on social media to help others recognise the risks and symptoms.
- Support a loved one – If someone you know is living with liver disease, use the month to learn more about their condition and offer practical, informed support.
- Donate or fundraise – Contribute to research and patient support services through a liver health charity, or organise your own small fundraiser.
History of Liver Awareness Month
The American Liver Foundation, established in 1976, has long championed the cause of liver health in the United States. The organisation’s advocacy helped bring national attention to liver disease at a time when conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis were poorly understood by the wider public.
The observance received formal recognition in 1986, when President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5542 designating National Liver Awareness Month in support of the American Liver Foundation. That presidential proclamation helped cement October as the month for liver health education and gave campaigners a national platform to reach the public.
In the decades since, the campaign has grown alongside our scientific understanding of liver disease. The renaming of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease reflects a clearer picture of how metabolic health, diet, and the liver are connected. Today the American Liver Foundation runs the month under its “Think Liver Think Life” banner, combining risk screening, patient support groups, and political advocacy to keep liver health on the national agenda.
Noteworthy Facts About Liver Awareness Month
- The liver is the largest solid internal organ in the human body and carries out more than 500 separate functions.
- National Liver Awareness Month was formally proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 through Proclamation 5542.
- More than 100 million people in the United States are estimated to have some form of liver disease.
- October also serves as Liver Cancer Awareness Month, so the two causes are often promoted side by side.
- The liver is one of the few organs capable of regenerating, which is why early lifestyle changes can have such a strong effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Liver Awareness Month?
Liver Awareness Month is an annual observance held every October that raises understanding of liver disease and promotes prevention, screening, and healthier living. In the United States it is led by the American Liver Foundation.
When is Liver Awareness Month in 2026?
It runs throughout the whole of October 2026, from Thursday, 1 October to Saturday, 31 October.
Who organises Liver Awareness Month?
The American Liver Foundation leads the observance in the United States, offering risk quizzes, meal plans, walks, and educational events. The month gained formal national recognition through a 1986 presidential proclamation.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Liver Awareness Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #LiverAwarenessMonth and #ThinkLiverThinkLife on social media. The more people who know about Liver Awareness Month, the bigger the impact on early diagnosis and prevention.
Related Awareness Days
- World Hepatitis Day – Marked on 28 July, this day highlights viral hepatitis, a leading cause of liver disease worldwide.
- World Blood Donor Day – Celebrates the donors whose blood supports patients, including those undergoing liver transplants and treatment.
- Diabetes Awareness Week – Diabetes is closely linked to fatty liver disease, making the two causes natural companions.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
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