P.A.D. Coalition Convenes in D.C.
New Study Shows Most Unaware of PAD

The P.A.D. Coalition's 4th Annual Meeting took place on September 18, 2007 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The meeting began with Coalition Chair Dr. Alan T. Hirsch, MD giving a special report about the new study, "Gaps in Public Awareness of Peripheral Arterial Disease" released on September 17. The study, published in the medical journal Circulation, found that three out of four people are not aware of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common vascular disease that carries a high short-term risk of heart attack, stroke, amputation and death and affects more than 8 million Americans.

The survey of 2,501 adults found that public awareness of PAD (26%) is markedly lower than other cardiovascular diseases such as stroke (74%), coronary artery disease (67%) and heart failure (67%), though the risk for PAD is equal to or greater than the risk for these conditions. Survey respondents were much more aware of relatively rare diseases that affect far fewer people, including ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease (36%), multiple sclerosis (42%) and cystic fibrosis (29%). While one out of four survey respondents said that they were familiar with PAD, this group had limited understanding of the disease.

Few understood that having PAD significantly increases one's risk for heart attack, stroke, amputation and death. Most did not know the causes or risk factors of PAD. Cigarette smoking and diabetes contribute to the development and progression of PAD, a fact unknown even by many survey respondents who reported familiarity with the disease. Further, more than half of those familiar with PAD do not know that high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are also risk factors.

The P.A.D. Coalition also presented the Coalition's inaugural Best PAD Research Awards. The Best PAD Research Award honors the work of investigators and acknowledges the creation of new clinical research that is relevant to the understanding of peripheral arterial disease. This year's winners are:

• Matthew Allison, MD, MPH
• Andrew W. Bradbury, Professor of Vascular Surgery at the University of Birmingham

The Coalition then awarded the inaugural Community Service Awards to recognize collaborative programs focused on increasing awareness about PAD to high-risk populations, patients and/or the health care community. This year's winners are:

• The American Podiatric Medical Association was recognized for their lecture series that has reached over 6,000 podiatrists over the last year.
• Spirit of Women was recognized for incorporating PAD messages into all of their activities.

A briefing on PAD was held for legislators and their staff on Capitol Hill. Joining Coalition experts at this event was actress Phylicia Rashad, best known for her role as Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Ms. Rashad spoke about the need for increased screenings for PAD and access to evidence-based therapies so patients can receive treatments to reduce the risks associated with the disease. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) also addressed the group and stressed the need to work together to improve the nation's health. Senator Crapo is co-chair of the 110th Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition and introduced a resolution that proclaimed September as PAD Awareness Month.

Ms. Rashad and Coalition experts also met with Congressional leaders to discuss the need for legislation to make PAD screening available to at-risk Medicare recipients.

All those at the meeting agreed that it has been a great year for the P.A.D. Coalition and it is looking to another great year in 2008!