Video Series

The panelist explored the following critical questions: What systems-level strategies can improve coverage readiness for new metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) treatments? What system-wide transformations are necessary to sustain scalable, multidisciplinary MASH care? What barriers exist to adopting emerging metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) therapies at the system level, and how can they be overcome? What clinical and economic evidence is needed for formulary adoption of new therapies? The estimated financial burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is considerable. How does delayed detection and intervention impact the overall cost of MASH care? What financial and clinical benefits arise from implementing early detection programs for MASH? How does fragmentation within the MASH ecosystem affect value-based care outcomes? How can population health efforts optimize these outcomes?

In this episode, 'System-Level Barriers and Evidence Gaps in the Adoption of Emerging MASH Therapies,' the expert hepatologist explored the following questions: What barriers exist to adopting emerging metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) therapies at the system level, and how can they be overcome? What clinical and economic evidence is needed for formulary adoption of new therapies? The estimated financial burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is considerable. How does delayed detection and intervention impact the overall cost of MASH care? What financial and clinical benefits arise from implementing early detection programs for MASH? How does fragmentation within the MASH ecosystem affect value-based care outcomes? How can population health efforts optimize these outcomes?

Welcome back to another AJMC Insights series. In this episode titled, 'The Financial and Clinical Cost of Delayed MASH Detection and Fragmented Care', Dr. Jaideep Behari led the conversation about the following questions: The estimated financial burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is considerable. How does delayed detection and intervention impact the overall cost of MASH care? What financial and clinical benefits arise from implementing early detection programs for MASH? How does fragmentation within the MASH ecosystem affect value-based care outcomes? How can population health efforts optimize these outcomes?

1 expert is featured in this series.

For the first time, the 2026 ACC/AHA guideline provides strong, evidence-based recommendations for patients who cannot tolerate statins—a group historically underserved by prior guidance. Outcome data now support bempedoic acid (from the CLEAR trial), PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, ezetimibe, and inclisiran as viable alternatives. Rather than defaulting to high-intensity statin doses, clinicians can consider combination strategies such as a moderate-intensity statin paired with ezetimibe—a pairing shown in the RACING trial to match the cardiovascular event reduction of high-intensity monotherapy while improving tolerability and LDL goal achievement. The "rule of sixes"—where doubling a statin dose yields only an additional 6% LDL reduction versus 18% from adding ezetimibe—further reinforces early combination thinking.

1 expert is featured in this series.

The 2026 update to the ACC/AHA guideline for dyslipidemia management represents a meaningful shift in how and when clinicians should begin lipid-lowering therapy, Erin D. Michos, MD, MHS, professor of medicine, director of Women's Cardiovascular Health and associate director of Preventive Cardiology in the Division of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explains.