A Community Approach to Fighting Liver Disease, With Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua, M.D.

The Global Liver Institute’s Liver Health Symposium, held on September 20 in Minneapolis, stood out as a unique gathering that united patients, families, advocates, health care providers, policymakers and community leaders. Lionel A. Kankeu Fonkoua, M.D., oncologist at Mayo Clinic, emphasized that too often these groups work in parallel rather than in partnership. This event created a rare opportunity to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences, and build solutions with equity and compassion at the center of liver care.

One of the central challenges highlighted was the late diagnosis of liver disease and the inequities in care and outcomes. Because liver disease is often silent until advanced stages, many patients slip through the cracks, particularly those facing barriers such as limited access to screening, nutritious food, transportation and culturally competent care. The symposium addressed these head-on, with sessions covering hepatitis B and C, metabolic liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer screening — all aimed at reducing disparities and empowering communities to act.

A key takeaway was the importance of primary care in early detection. Specialists like hepatologists or oncologists often see patients late in their journey, but primary care providers can play a pivotal role in recognizing and managing liver conditions earlier, ultimately saving lives.

Another highlight was the focus on culturally tailored outreach. In Minnesota, liver disease disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority groups, including Black, Somali, Hmong, Native American and Hispanic communities. Ensuring that guidelines translate into real-world access for these populations was emphasized as critical.

Kankeu Fonkoua stressed that progress is being made — from prevention and screening to advanced treatments like transplants and immunotherapies. His message to patients: You are not alone. Outcomes improve when patients are connected early to multidisciplinary care teams that include specialists, primary care providers, social workers and nutrition experts.

Ultimately, the symposium underscored that equity in liver health is lifesaving. Minnesota has the opportunity to lead by example, creating community-driven, culturally informed solutions that could serve as a model nationwide. Importantly, patients and families were recognized as partners in shaping care, proving that every voice matters in closing the gaps in liver health.