Lot to give, got to live - the restless minds of the “Liver on Tour” project

Abstract

The Liver on Tour was a special project devoted to increase the public awareness on Liver Health and Liver Diseases that the Portuguese Association for the Study of Liver Diseases launched throughout the country in 2010.

Keywords: Liver disease; Hepatology; Hepatitis; Public health

Core tip: The Liver on Tour was a special Project devoted to increase the public awareness on Liver Health and Liver Diseases that the Portuguese Association for the Study of Liver Diseases launched throughout the country, between mid-April and mid-June 2010, and consisted of a road show, travelling through and reaching all 18 district capitals of Portugal. It was mainly focused on giving simple, reliable and practical information about liver problems with emphasis in messages trying to raise public attention on Liver Health. In a ten million people country where there is evidence of more than 10% being affected with some form of liver diseases, all efforts need to be made to enroll everyone in this never ending battle. High priority to education, gathering on board committed doctors with expertise in mass communication and engage reluctant policymakers (pressured by well-informed voters): A formula that could be a brighter way to raise the standards in prevention, detection and management of liver diseases.