LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2023 — In a new scientific statement published in the renowned Journal ‘Circulation’, a collective of esteemed medical researchers, including David G. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery, Director of the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and founding president of the American Limb Preservation Society (ALPS), underscore the urgent need for more focus on Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in people of color.
The statement illuminates the often-overlooked issue of PAD, a debilitating condition that affects millions globally, with a disproportionate impact on communities of color.
“There is a pressing need to shed light on this often-ignored problem, especially in people of color,” said Prof. Armstrong. “PAD can lead to severe complications, such as amputations and increased mortality, if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. Sadly, it is most prevalent among the underserved communities.”
The statement further advocates for the development and integration of multidisciplinary teams in the healthcare process, emphasizing the pivotal role these teams play in reducing the risk of amputation and mortality in the affected community.
“In battling PAD, it’s critical that we employ a ‘team sport’ mentality,” Prof. Armstrong added. “The implementation of multidisciplinary teams — comprising vascular surgeons and interventionalists, podiatrists, endocrinologists, wound care specialists, and others — is a proven strategy to mitigate the risks and offer comprehensive care to patients.”
In conclusion, the authors call upon medical professionals, public health policy makers, and community leaders to collaborate, increase awareness, promote early detection, and ensure more robust and inclusive healthcare for those affected by PAD.
For more information about the study, see the manuscript here.
For more information about ALPS, whose mission is to end preventable amputations over the next generation and believes multidisciplinary teams are the best approach click here.
