November 27, 2023

Last week, APMA submitted comments providing feedback on the current Healthy People 2030 objectives set by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People identifies public health priorities to help individuals, organizations, and communities across the United States improve health and well-being. Healthy People 2030, the initiative’s fifth iteration, builds on knowledge gained during the first four decades. The complete list of objectives is available online. 

In our response, APMA specifically addressed objectives pertaining to podiatric care, emphasizing support for targets such as minimizing emergency visits related to falls among older adults and reducing foot and leg amputations in adults with diabetes. The letter proposes the inclusion of a comprehensive diabetic lower extremity exam (CDLEE) to prevent amputations and suggests using a high-low amputation ratio as a marker. Additionally, APMA supported objectives related to clinical prevention education, communication enhancement, shared decision-making, online access to medical records, the reduction of fall-related deaths, and the prevention of nonfatal unintentional injuries. The letter advocates for the participation of podiatrists in counseling sessions focusing on weight loss, nutrition, and physical activity. 

Read the complete comment letter.