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Testimony by Emily Lee, Project Coordinator at Korean Community Services

1:53:09

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Emily Lee from Korean Community Services testifies about the hidden epidemic of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its impact on children, particularly in Hispanic and Asian American communities. She emphasizes the importance of prevention through education, screening, and policies like Intro 641 that promote healthier food choices.

MASLD affects 1 in 10 children in the US and over 30% of people worldwide
The condition is often asymptomatic and can lead to serious liver problems if left untreated
Intro 641 is highlighted as a policy that can help modify the NYC food environment and reduce risk factors for MASLD

Emily Lee

1:53:09

Good afternoon.

1:53:09

I'm Emily Lee, a project coordinator at Korean Community Services.

1:53:14

Since 1973, KCS has served Korean immigrants, other Asian American and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic and Latino communities by providing a vast range of services including health care navigation, disease prevention and management, and food and nutrition services.

1:53:30

As someone who works closely with Asian Americans and other people of color impacted by diet related diseases, I want to focus my testimony here on the hidden epidemic of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, otherwise known as mazod.

1:53:45

More and more children and youth are affected by mazod, which shares common metabolic risk factors with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

1:53:54

In fact, 1 in 10 children in the US and more than 30% of people worldwide have this condition.

1:54:00

While it can occur in children from any racial and ethnic groups, it's more prevalent among Hispanic and Asian American children.

1:54:07

If left untreated, Maslow can progress to serious conditions like fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.

1:54:15

What's especially challenging is that most people with the condition are asymptomatic and it can develop over many years unnoticed.

1:54:21

And screening for and related conditions is not as common or convenient as screening for high blood pressure or glucose levels.

1:54:30

Much of my daily work in flushing addresses hepatitis b infection and its disproportionate impact on the Asian American community.

1:54:38

It's critically important that we prevent liver disease and it's often irreversible damage with better community education, improved screening, and policies that address underlying risk factors included including diet related conditions.

1:54:52

Intro 641 is a good example of a policy that can modify the New York City food environment to guide families to healthier choices for their children, helping to reduce the risk factors for Mazo and other conditions.

1:55:04

Thank you.

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Testimony by Jacob Zychick, Community Advocacy Director of American Heart Association on Healthy NYC and Intro 641