#USA #BD #Franklin Lakes #Peripheral Artery Disease #Love Your Limbs

BD Expands Awareness for Peripheral Artery Disease with 'Love Your Limbs'

In a significant effort to address Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) during PAD Awareness Month, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is drawing attention to this critical health issue. PAD is a dangerous circulatory condition that limits blood flow to the limbs and is a leading factor in preventable amputations. Affecting millions in the United States and across the globe, PAD often goes unnoticed, leading to severe health complications without timely diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding PAD and Its Implications

PAD is estimated to impact over 21 million Americans and 200 million individuals worldwide, often resulting in dire health outcomes such as stroke, heart attacks, and limb loss if not recognized early. In the U.S. alone, more than 150,000 amputations that could have been avoided occur each year due to PAD. Alarmingly, this condition remains significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated, especially among marginalized communities.

Recognizing the urgency of this public health crisis, BD is committed to transforming the narrative around PAD through education and outreach. The company aims to empower clinicians while providing essential support to patients.

The Love Your Limbs™ Campaign: A Community Initiative

At the core of BD's strategy is the Love Your Limbs™ PAD Community Screening Initiative. This comprehensive program endeavors to enhance access to PAD screening. The company collaborates with medical professionals to offer free ankle-brachial index (ABI) screenings, a crucial and non-invasive test that can identify PAD quickly. According to Rob Righi, the Vice President and General Manager of the Vascular Platform at BD Peripheral Intervention, “Too many lives are lost or forever changed because PAD is diagnosed too late—or not at all.” He emphasized that the Love Your Limbs initiative represents a vital step towards breaking barriers in detection and care.

In June, BD hosted a series of community screenings in partnership with Ochsner Health during the 4th Annual Men's Health Event in New Orleans. Attendees who received positive screening results connected with The Way to My Heart, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting and educating individuals affected by PAD.

Data-Driven Solutions for Healthcare Disparities

To better address care disparities, the BD Center of Excellence for Health Economics and Outcomes Research is developing a PAD Health Access Dashboard and Heatmap. This innovative, interactive platform will swiftly identify areas with high amputation rates, allowing targeted interventions where they are most needed.

On a broader scale, BD is a proud sponsor of the American Heart Association’s National PAD Action Plan, which promotes coordinated efforts to increase awareness, improve diagnostic practices, and enhance the overall quality of life for those living with PAD. This collaborative approach reflects BD’s belief in the power of collective action to mitigate preventable complications related to PAD.

Combining Efforts to Save Lives

Referred to as a “silent threat,” up to 59% of PAD patients experience no symptoms. Therefore, timely screening, effective treatment, and comprehensive education are essential to avert most complications associated with PAD.

BD, with its extensive history of vascular innovation, continually provides tools and technologies that enable health care providers to diagnose and manage PAD effectively. The company offers various resources, from devices designed to restore blood flow to educational programs promoting evidence-based care.

As PAD Awareness Month unfolds, BD encourages healthcare professionals, community leaders, and individuals to participate in efforts that raise awareness, advocate for early diagnosis, and support life- and limb-saving treatments. To learn more about the Love Your Limbs campaign and get involved, visit loveyourlimbs.com.

About BD

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies dedicated to advancing health by enhancing medical discovery, diagnostics, and care delivery. With over 70,000 employees and operations in nearly every country, BD focuses on addressing critical global health challenges by working closely with partners to improve outcomes and expand access to healthcare. To discover more about BD's initiatives and innovations, visit bd.com.