The Screenings Young Adults Don’t Get and Why It Matters This World Hepatitis Day.

This World Hepatitis Day, we’re talking about something most people never think about, especially young adults.

Your liver works every second of every day to keep your body balanced. But most of us never check in on it until something has already gone wrong.

And here’s the real issue.

There is no standard liver screening offered to young adults. Even with clear risk factors like alcohol use, disordered eating, obesity, or a family history of liver disease, liver health is rarely checked.

Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are often linked to risky behaviours that increase liver risk, including binge drinking or emotional overeating. Liver damage often begins silently, without symptoms. Hepatitis B and C can go unnoticed for years. Many people are not diagnosed until they are already in the hospital.

Liver disease is rising. Routine screening is not.

In Canada, serious liver disease is rising fastest in people under 40. Young adults get screened for a lot of things.
STIs. Blood pressure. Mental health. Cholesterol.

But liver checks are rarely included.

Most young adults are not routinely screened for liver disease. Liver checkups are not usually part of the routine screenings offered to young adults the way STI tests, cholesterol, or mental health screenings often are. That means even when someone has risks like alcohol use, emotional eating, obesity, or family history, liver health can still be overlooked.

And often, the damage has already progressed by the time it is found.

Mind your liver. You know your body best.

You do not need a blood test to notice when something feels off.

Early signs of liver stress can include:

• Ongoing fatigue that will not go away

• Brain fog or trouble focusing

• Nausea, bloating, or changes in appetite

• A dull ache or tightness on the upper right side of your abdomen

These do not always mean liver damage. But when they show up together, and do not go away, it is worth checking in.

That is what we mean when we say: Mind your liver. It needs you.™

We created an awareness video about this. Watch it today.

We released a short video for World Hepatitis Day that brings this message to life.

Young people are screened every day.
At airports. In clinics. At gyms.

But rarely for liver disease.

Sometimes, it is not found until it is already serious.
This video is a reminder to check in before it gets to that point.

What to do right now

• Watch the video and share it with someone you care about

• Talk to a doctor if you have symptoms or risk factors

• Learn more about Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), viral hepatitis, MASLD, cirrhosis, and other liver conditions

• Join the conversation. Every person deserves to know how their liver is doing

What does screening actually look like?

There is no single test for liver disease. But that does not mean it cannot be caught early.

Most liver conditions like Alcohol Associated Liver Disease (ALD), MASLD, or cirrhosis often show up first in your bloodwork. A few basic tests such as ALT, AST, or GGT can tell your doctor if something is off. If needed, they may order a liver ultrasound or a FibroScan to check for fat or stiffness in your liver.

You do not need to look sick to get tested. You do not need symptoms to start the conversation. Learn more about silent liver conditions like hepatitis, MASLD, or cirrhosis.

Early awareness saves lives. Even simple bloodwork can make the difference.

Young adults need to be part of the conversation.

We’re here to bring liver health to the front of the conversation, so every young adult can make informed choices that support their future.

We’re here to change how liver health is understood, talked about, and acted on.
We’re here to help young people recognize risks, spot signs early, and take action before it’s too late.

This generation deserves to know the signs, own the facts, and never be caught off guard again.

Watch the video
We created a 22-second awareness video for World Hepatitis Day that brings this message to life.
Watch it. Share it. Talk about it.
👉 Watch now on YouTube

Mind Your Liver. It Needs You.™
— Liver Awareness Foundation

This post is for educational and awareness purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. All data referenced is accurate to the best of our knowledge at time of publication.