Feet! It's probably not the first word that springs to mind when you think of diabetes. But did you know that every day an estimated 510,000 people in Australia are living with diabetes-related foot disease?
Living with diabetes is challenging. It’s estimated that people living with diabetes can make up to 180 more decisions each day about their health than someone without diabetes. So understandably, feet can often take a backseat as the management of other aspects of diabetes, work, family and life takes higher priority.
So, for Diabetes Feet Day, we’re making feet the focus. We'd like to find out what your feet focus is, educate about diabetes-related foot health and disease, and spread awareness to help improve foot health outcomes for people living with diabetes.
Diabetes-related foot disease has been described in the Medical Journal of Australia as the least known major health problem. For Diabetes Feet Day, we want to find out what your feet focus is. Why? So that you can help us build a national ‘feet focus’ profile. It could be a single word from you about what you think about when you reflect on why feet matter, or even a short sentence, but we'd like to find out what's important to you.
Diabetes Feet Australia is committed to improving the foot health outcomes for people living with diabetes and in turn help reduce the large health burdens caused by diabetes-related foot disease on the nation.
We invite you to read, review, watch our insightful webinar and have your say about the Australian Foot Health and Disease in Diabetes Strategy 2030: improving the foot health of people living with diabetes. This draft public consultation document outlines the key national priorities and goals to help guide the nation in improving foot health outcomes for people living with diabetes.
Your submissions provide valuable insights to help shape the national strategy. Survey submissions will be reviewed and considered as part of development of the final version, released in 2025.
A common symptom of diabetes is damage to the nerves in your feet. The damaged nerve function is called neuropathy, and about up to half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Because of the loss of sensation in the foot, recognising when you have injured your foot is less likely as you may not feel the pain. And if you’re less likely to notice an injury, this can then progress to a more serious stage of developing a foot ulcer.
A foot ulcer refers to a break in the skin on the foot, and even minor injuries caused by a small cut, bruise or a blister can develop into a diabetes-related foot ulcer. Having a foot ulcer is an unpleasant experience, which may cause pain and discomfort, the need for regular attention (e.g. wound dressing), and often takes a lengthy time to heal.
So...how well do you know your feet?
Did you know that 1.5 million people in Australia are estimated to be living with diabetes but up to 50% don’t receive an annual foot screening?
Effective preventative care can greatly reduce the risk of diabetes-related foot disease. It’s important that all people living with diabetes undergo at least a yearly foot screening. Knowing your risk level helps determine how often you need a foot check each year and if you may need to see a diabetes foot team for more specialised diagnosis, management and treatment.
Not sure what your risk level is?
If you're unsure of who to talk to about your diabetes and the health of your feet, check with your General Practitioner, podiatrist, your local community health centre, Diabetes Educator or Nurse.
Foot care is vital for people living with diabetes and fortunately, many foot problems are preventable. With daily foot checks and recommended lifestyle changes, many people living with diabetes are able to prevent developing foot ulcers and their more serious complications. By introducing simple steps into your daily routine, the risk of foot problems can reduce significantly.
For Diabetes Feet Day, we encourage people living with diabetes to look down at their feet and have a good look around. You can also download the diabetes feet health passport that walks through some simple daily steps to help take care of your valuable feet.
We’re hosting a morning tea at Townsville University Hospital for all staff highlighting the problem of DFD and the work the High-Risk Foot service. We’re wearing our Diabetes Feet Day shirts and promoting through our socials and media.
We’re handing out the Diabetes Feet Passport to inpatient with diabetes and having them available in POWH ambulatory care settings and we will be proudly wearing our 2024 Diabetes feet day T-Shirts on the day! We have a display of printable resources outside the Diabetes Centre and these activities will be promoted at a staff wound education day on the 8th November.
We’re running an educational stall in the FSH main concourse on Diabetes Feet Day. Members of our multidisciplinary team are available to engage with people living with diabetes and provide information and resources regarding daily foot care and foot screening. For health professionals we are providing information regarding how to conduct a foot screening examination.
Come and visit our stall in the afternoon on the Level 4 Mezzanine (top of escalators). Visitors can take advantage of a free foot screen, including basic neurovascular assessment, and will get a report to take to their GP. Staff can up-skill in handheld Doppler and use of Otoform. We look forward to meeting you, sharing what our service does, answering your questions, and then check your knowledge with a quiz (edible prizes available!).
WoundRescue is dedicated to promoting foot health and preventing complications for individuals living with diabetes. On Diabetes Feet Day 2024, we’re offering complimentary foot screening and education services to support early detection and management of diabetes-related foot conditions.
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For Diabetes Feet Day, our focus is providing patient education as part of their comprehensive treatment plan with a detailed custom treatment handout.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetes-Related Foot Complications Program delivers services in South Australia, the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Far North Queensland, Central Australia and the Top End of the Northern Territory.
Walk Strong, Walk Tall, SAHMRI | ADELAIDE
Our team will be collaborating with Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Service at their World Diabetes Day event to yarn with community about how they can keep their feet healthy and strong.
Our partners at Central Australian Aboriginal Congress are highlighting the Ingke Arntarnte-areme (Looking after Feet) program, including an app, videos, conversation cards, posters and more!
Our partners at Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin are featuring in November’s STRIDE Magazine. Where Podiatrist Anna Stybowski shares a typical day in the life of her working at the Danila Dilba Health Service.
We are celebrating Diabetes Feet Day by wearing our DFA t-shirts in our busy interdisciplinary clinic. We are providing our patients with educational resources and a display in our waiting room to promote conversation regarding foot care and prevention of diabetes-related foot disease.
For Diabetes Feet Day, we’re making feet the national focus. So join us as we advocate, educate and spread awareness to help improve foot health outcomes for people living with diabetes. Check out, print and share our ready-made resources across your social channels, newsletter, or even decorate. With a range of social visuals, factsheets and posters available to use, this is an easy way to share your feet focus and help spread awareness to improve foot health outcomes for people living with diabetes. And stay tuned as we release some interactive visuals throughout the day! #diabetesfeetday and tag us in your socials
Show your support and purchase a Diabetes Feet Day t-shirt. Not only is it a great conversation starter, but an easy way to promote diabetes feet health year round!
As the t-shirts are printed to order (approximately 14 days)
Show your support and purchase a Diabetes Feet Day t-shirt. Not only is it a great conversation starter, but an easy way to promote diabetes feet health year round!
As the t-shirts are printed to order. (approximately 14 days)
URGO Medical is proud and honoured to be the official partner of the 2024 Diabetes Feet Day. We are excited to collaborate with Diabetes Feet Australia (DFA) to promote awareness and education in diabetes-related foot disease.
As the healing company, our foot focus is to continuing providing evidence-based wound care treatment and support to make a difference in the lives of patients. We have made the diabetes-related foot ulcer a key priority, with the aim to close wounds, save feet and save lives for patients with diabetes and eradicate amputations and death as a consequence of diabetes-related foot disease. Click below to learn more about how our products help transform patient lives.
We'd like to acknowledge and thank our Diabetes Feet Day Partners. Their valued support helps us build national awareness of diabetes-related feet health and disease, create and provide educational and campaign resources, and make 'feet the focus' to help us improve feet health outcomes for people living with diabetes.
The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is an initiative of the Australian Government that commenced in 1987 and is administered by Diabetes Australia. The NDSS amins to enhance the capacity of people with diabetes to understand and self-manage their life with diabetes; access services, support and subsidised diabetes products.