Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), relatively unknown just 2 decades ago, are now the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting an estimated 25% of the world's population. The collective epidemic of NAFLD and NASH closely parallels the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. As the prevalence of these conditions continues to increase, predictions are that the prevalence of NAFLD and NASH will also increase, creating an unprecedented clinical and economic burden. Early disease can be managed with modification of risk factors in some individuals. There are no approved drug regimens to treat NASH, but the clinical trial pipeline is very active. A panel of leading experts will emphasize the importance of early detection and diagnosis as a means to halting the epidemic through either preventing progression of disease or in the future, treatment.