The People First Liver Charter
Published in Nature Medicine in June 2025, this commentary highlights how stigma around liver disease can harm people’s health and quality of life, and how changing the language we use can make a difference.
Key messages from the Charter:
Liver disease stigma is widespread: People are often blamed for their condition because of assumptions about alcohol use, drug use, diet, or lifestyle choices.
Words matter: Terms that define people by their disease, or language that implies blame or weakness, reinforce negative stereotypes.
People-first language helps: Saying “a person living with liver disease” instead of “a liver patient” keeps the focus on the person, not just their condition.
A rights-based approach: The Charter calls for treating people with dignity and respect, recognising their rights to fair and stigma-free healthcare.
Global collaboration: It was developed with input from people living with liver disease, advocates, clinicians, and researchers, reflecting the need for collective action.
Practical recommendations: Use non-stigmatising language in clinical care, research, policy, and the media to reduce discrimination and improve health outcomes.
The Charter is both a call to action and a practical tool, aiming to shift how liver diseases are discussed worldwide to reduce stigma and support better care.