NMQF launches the P.A.D. Atlas database that maps peripheral arterial disease prevalence by zip code

Sep 15 2009

Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition Joins Forum to Help Reduce Burden of Disease and Associated Costs on Individuals and Healthcare System

The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), one of the nation's leading voices in the health disparities discussion, is launching the P.A.D. Atlas, a database that maps by zip code peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) prevalence down to the street level, with the P.A.D. Coalition and support from the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership. The P.A.D. Atlas (www.mappad.org) will be demonstrated during a launch event at 9:30 a.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on September 15th. September is P.A.D. Awareness Month.

"Through timely detection and treatment of P.A.D., we can prevent heart attacks, strokes and even death. By using the P.A.D. Atlas, we can more effectively target educational and advocacy efforts to improve the quality of care and save lives," said Gwen Twillman, P.A.D. Coalition's Executive Director.

Approximately 9 million Americans suffer from P.A.D -- a type of cardiovascular disease that primarily affects individuals over 50 years of age. Minorities are disproportionately affected as well. Having P.A.D doubles the risk of a heart attack or stroke. In fact, the P.A.D. Atlas shows that sixty-seven percent of individuals who have had a stroke live in the 8,615 zip codes identified to have a high prevalence of P.A.D. Undiagnosed and untreated P.A.D. also has a dramatic economic impact on the healthcare system. The cities with the most diagnosed cases of P.A.D. are Chicago, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Houston and Los Angeles.

P.A.D. results when arteries in the legs become narrowed, hardened, or clogged with plaque. Common symptoms include leg pain when walking and wounds that are slow to heal. P.A.D. can also lead to disability, amputation, and poor quality of life.

Researchers, patient advocacy groups, legislators and allied health professionals can use the

P.A.D. Atlas to identify prevalence of P.A.D. at the national, state, and local levels to direct educational resources where they are needed most.

"The launch of the P.A.D. Atlas is of great significance, especially to the racial and ethnic minority community. Being able to identify P.A.D prevalence among constituents is extremely useful to reduce preventable illness and will help raise awareness of and address health disparities in these underserved populations," said Rep. Donna M. Christensen (D-VI).

"We are proud to partner with the P.A.D. Coalition and their membership of committed partners on this very important initiative. Special thanks to the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership for their visionary leadership, their commitment to ending health disparities among the underserved and for their support in helping to make the P.A.D. Atlas initiative a reality," said Gary Puckrein, CEO, NMQF.

Source: http://www.mappad.org