Surveys and Studies

Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease

• An Economic Evaluation of the Impact, Cost, and Medicare Policy Implications of Chronic Nonhealing Wounds
  October 10, 2017
  This study examined the cost of chronic wound care, including care for diabetic foot ulcers, for Medicare beneficiaries. The outcomes demonstrated that Medicare spending related to wound care is far greater than previously recognized, conservatively estimated at $31.7 billion. The study, authored by Samuel R. Nussbaum, MD, et al, was published in Value in Health, a journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research.
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• Policy Brief: Podiatric Services Could Reduce Costs of Treating Diabetes Complications in California by up to $97 Million
  October 10, 2017
  The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has released a policy brief on care for complications of diabetes. California spent $565 million in 2014 on care for diabetic foot ulcers, and the authors believe care provided by podiatrists reduced costs by up to $97 million. Jonathon Labovitz et al contend that if more patients with complications of diabetes received care from podiatrists, costs would be lowered even further.
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• Foot in Wallet Disease
  September 1, 2014
  "Foot in Wallet Disease" is a first-of-its-kind study that demonstrates the real-world ramifications of eliminating services provided by a podiatrist under a state Medicaid program.
  Courtesy of David Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, and the American Diabetes Association
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• 2012 Diabetes Survey–US Hispanics
  October 1, 2012
  In 2012, APMA conducted a national survey of US Hispanic adults on health care, diabetes, and foot health.
  View the survey results
• The Economic Value of Specialized Lower Extremity Medical Care by Podiatric Physicians in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
  March 1, 2011
  The APMA-sponsored Thomson Reuters study, "The Economic Value of Specialized Lower Extremity Medical Care by Podiatric Physicians in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers" dramatically demonstrates the significant impact care by a podiatrist has on health-care outcomes and spending. APMA encourages members to use these data in discussions with legislators, the media, and other health-care professionals. Below are a variety of tools and resources to help you in spreading this important message.
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• Receipt of Care and Reduction of Lower Extremity Amputations in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Elderly
  August 16, 2010
  According to an independent study conducted by Duke University published in Health Services Research:
  • Medicare?eligible patients with diabetes were less likely to experience a lower extremity amputation if a podiatrist was a member of the patient care team.
  • Patients with severe lower extremity complications who only saw a podiatrist experienced alower risk of amputation compared with patients who did not see a podiatrist.
  • A multidisciplinary team approach that includes podiatrists most effectively prevents complications from diabetes and reduces the risk of amputations.
  Download PDF (courtesy of John Wiley and Sons and Health Services Research)

Foot Health

• 2014 Today's Podiatrist Survey
  May 15, 2014
  • Access the full findings from APMA's 2014 foot health survey on Americans' attitudes toward foot health and today's podiatrists. View the full survey results.
  • View the key findings of the 2014 Today's Podiatrist survey.
  • View the key findings related to high heel wear from the 2014 Today's Podiatrist survey.
• 2010 Today's Podiatrist Survey
  September 1, 2010
  • Access the full findings from APMA's 2010 foot health survey on Americans' attitudes toward foot health and today's podiatrists. View the full survey results.
  • View the key findings of the 2010 Today's Podiatrist survey.
  • View a one-page document detailing the key findings related to women's foot health from the 2010 Today's Podiatrist survey.