Important in Our
Black and Local Communities
By Shanika Small, RN
The truth about the prevalence and cost of wounds in our communities. I have been a Home Health Nurse and have performed wound care for 10 years.
Wounds are a silent epidemic that adversely affects patients’ quality of life. The elderly and people with Type 2 Diabetes are at increased risk.
The stats are sobering:
●Diabetic wound complications cost more than 5 of the most deadly cancers.
●The estimated expenditures by Medicare for acute and chronic wound care is between 28-97 Billion!
●70% of people that get amputations from foot wounds die within 5 years.
●In some parts of the country, African Americans are 8 times more likely to get amputations than other racial groups.
Wounds are an epidemic and the health burden of wounds are only projected to get worse. What can we do? Below are some tips on how to lower your risk and bad outcomes with wounds...
