APMA encourages 'Knock Your Socks Off' foot care campaign for people with diabetes

American Podiatric Medical AssociationNov 10 2011

American Podiatric Medical Association Encourages Hispanic Health Awareness with "Knock Your Socks Off" Foot Care Campaign, Promotes Regular Foot Exams by Podiatrist to End Diabetes Complications

@APMAtweets will host a "Tweet Your Socks Off" event on World Diabetes Day, November 14

Because 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. During November, APMA is promoting positive foot care by encouraging people with diabetes to "Knock Your Socks Off" to counteract this attack on Hispanic health and 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 U.S., 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 diabetes complications: Get an annual foot exam from a podiatrist, as it can reduce amputation rates by 45 to 85 percent according to the CDC.

"Your feet are a mirror of your health—especially when you have or are at risk for diabetes," said Dr. Michael King, APMA president. "The '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 CDC, 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.