News

Controlling the Disease Includes "Knocking Socks Off" with Regular Foot Exams by a Podiatrist

• Each day, more than 5,200 people are diagnosed with diabetes (Source: ADA)
• Hispanics are especially at risk for diabetes and are 66 percent more likely to be diagnosed than non-Hispanic whites (Source: ADA)
• APMA's "Knock Your Socks Off" campaign educates consumers about the importance of visiting today's podiatrist for regular foot exams
• Foot-care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45 to 85 percent (Source: CDC)
• @APMAtweets will host a "Tweet Your Socks Off" event on World Diabetes Day, November 14

Bethesda, MD—Because American Diabetes Association (ADA) data shows Hispanics are 66 percent more likely than non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with the disease, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is reaching out to the Hispanic population during November's Diabetes Awareness Month to encourage people with diabetes to "Knock Your Socks Off" to help save your limbs and life.

Lack of physical activity, poor diet, and genetics are all leading causes of type 2 diabetes, a disease that kills more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined, according to the ADA. Each of these risk factors is especially high among the Hispanic population, the fastest-growing minority group in the US, which has created a perfect storm of diabetes diagnoses.

APMA's "Knock Your Socks Off" campaign urges people with diabetes to take one simple action to help avoid some of the most serious complications of diabetes: Get an annual foot exam from a podiatrist.

"Your feet are a mirror of your health—especially when you have or are at risk for diabetes," said Dr. Michael King, APMA president. "APMA's Knock Your Socks Off campaign encourages people with diabetes to get an annual foot examination by today's podiatrist, particularly if you are part of the Hispanic community. Getting a foot exam, along with maintaining a good diet and proper exercise, is vital to staying in control of diabetes and living a healthy life."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 60 to 70 percent of all people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which often includes impaired sensation or pain in the feet. Severe forms of nerve damage can lead to diabetic foot ulcers and lower-extremity amputations. However, a Thomson Reuters Healthcare study showed the U.S. health-care system could save $3.5 billion annually and dramatically reduce hospitalizations and amputation if every American at risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer visited a podiatrist once, before complications set in.

To help spread the word about important connections between foot health and diabetes, APMA will take to Twitter for a "Tweet Your Socks Off" event on World Diabetes Day, November 14. Users can follow @APMAtweets and ask questions about foot care and diabetes in English and Spanish, and have questions answered by a podiatrist. 

Visit the campaign webpage for more information on "Knock Your Socks Off," to find a podiatrist, and for additional resources to combat diabetes.

"Like" APMA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theAPMA
Follow us on Twitter: @APMAtweets

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation's leading professional organization for today's podiatrists. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are qualified by their education, training, and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and structures of the leg. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership of nearly 12,000 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine. For more information, visit www.apma.org.

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