Diabetes Awareness Month 2009

Dr. Jeff DeSantis, Past President of the California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) and Dr. David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) were pit-crew VIP's at the unveiling of the "Diabetes is A Family Affair" initiative supported by CPMA and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

"It is a privilege to be a part of this enormously important program in such a splendid venue like the Sprint NASCAR series", noted Professor Armstrong, "Nearly 1-in-5 of the population at this event will have diabetes and everyone here knows someone with the disease. What we need to tell them is that the problem is preventable-- and the most common of diabetic problems-- foot infections and amputations-- are even more preventable.

Diabetes is an epidemic of national proportions, and currently affects nearly 24 million Americans.  It is also a family affair, as the disease is commonly passed down from parents to children. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes--and those at risk for the disease--do not discuss its hereditary nature and negative physical effects with members of their family.  The California Podiatric Medical Association (CPMA) in partnership with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) will focus on the family with the 2009 diabetes campaign, Diabetes is a Family Affair (DIAFA), which encourages those with the disease to begin having this important discussion!  Early detection and treatment of complications from diabetes, such as foot ulcers, is important to treating the disease successfully and avoiding a foot or leg amputation.

In addition, the 2009 DIAFA campaign will place special emphasis on the African-American community. Ethnicity plays a large factor in a person’s risk for developing diabetes, and African-Americans are nearly twice as likely to develop the disease as Caucasian-Americans. Treating the disease requires proper education, understanding, a trusting relationship between the patient and diabetes management team, and support from family and community. 

For more information on both diabetes, and the critical importance of proper footcare for those with diabetes, please click on the Diabetes is a Family Affair link below.

Diabetes is a Family Affair