SOURCE: American Podiatric Medical Association
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November 03, 2009 05:00 ET
New Survey: Nearly 40 Percent of African-Americans With Diabetes Delay Foot Care Due to Lack of Coverage
American Podiatric Medical Association Launches "Diabetes is a Family Affair" Campaign to Raise Awareness
BETHESDA, MD--(Marketwire - November 3, 2009) - New national survey results show that nearly
40 percent of African-Americans with diabetes delay a visit to a podiatrist
-- a critical member of a diabetes management team -- because they cannot
afford the necessary medical care, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association
(APMA).
The nationally balanced sample, which included 400 African-American men and
women with and without diabetes, found that 38 percent of respondents with
diabetes put off a visit to a podiatrist because they could not afford
care, had no insurance, or care was not covered by their insurance plan.
Additionally, while nearly all respondents (98%) agreed that proper foot
care is vital, almost half (48%) admitted that they have never been to a
podiatrist for a diabetic foot examination or treatment. African-Americans
are twice as likely as Caucasian-Americans to develop diabetes.
"More than half of all African-Americans -- 54 percent -- reported in our
survey that they have at least one family member with diabetes," said APMA
President Ronald D. Jensen, DPM. "Diabetes has a tendency to be genetic,
and the disease truly is a family affair. It is vital that our nation's
health care reform plan include stipulations that ensure all Americans,
both those with and at risk for diabetes, can afford the necessary diabetes
care and management that they require."
Studies have shown that greater public awareness of diabetic foot care
could positively impact the American health care system. According to an
article in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association,
comprehensive amputation prevention programs have reduced amputation rates
up to 70 percent -- saving the health care system up to $8 billion each
year.
APMA's "Diabetes is a Family Affair" campaign -- which takes place during
November's Diabetes Awareness Month -- encourages those with diabetes, as
well as those at risk, to openly discuss the disease with family members.
Diabetes, an American health epidemic, is often passed down from parents to
children. While the survey found that 77 percent of African-Americans say
they are willing to talk to their family about diabetes, those who do not
have the disease are far less likely to do so than those who are currently
suffering from it (59% vs. 95%).
Other results from the survey found that 47 percent of African-Americans
with diabetes have experienced foot issues related to the disease, -- which
can lead to a foot or leg amputation without treatment. For the results
from the survey in their entirety, or more information about APMA's
"Diabetes is a Family Affair" campaign, visit www.apma.org/diabetes.
Founded in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the
nation's leading and recognized professional organization for doctors of
podiatric medicine (DPMs). DPMs are podiatric physicians and surgeons,
also known as podiatrists, qualified by their education, training and
experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and
structures of the leg. The medical education and training of a DPM includes
four years of undergraduate education, four years of graduate education at
an accredited podiatric medical college and two or three years of hospital
residency training. APMA has 53 state component locations across the
United States and its territories, with a membership of close to 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.