Acclaim for Dr. Han’s best seller patient education book “What’s the Foot Got to Do with My Diabetes?”
Diabetic complications can significantly decrease the quality of life of people with diabetes. Studies show that certain communities experience a disparity of risk of these complications such as foot wounds and amputations. Research suggests that early detection and appropriate podiatric care can significantly decrease the disproportionate burden experienced by vulnerable communities of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native American Indians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
Therefore, I emphasize that we need to put more effort to prevent foot ulcers than to treat them. As a part of this prevention effort, we recognize that our nation’s podiatrists play vital roles in keeping diabetes-related foot complications under control therefore most effective in amputation prevention.
As an endocrinologist, I recommend we should teach people with diabetes how to recognize subtle signs that may occur that often precede to foot ulcers so that they are able to seek necessary podiatric care in a timely manner.
This book is written solely for diabetic patient education purposes, but as a healthcare advocate, I greatly anticipate the potential impact it has in improving the lives of high-risk communities. I applaud the translation of the book for many non-English speaking communities.
I congratulate and thank Dr. Han for writing this much needed book.
Raynald Samoa, MD
Assistant Professor, Endocrinology. Dr. Samoa is an endocrinologist at the City of Hope. Dr. Samoa has authored articles regarding health equity. He has testified to the House of Representative Ways and Means Committee during a session entitled “THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR”.
Dr. Samoa serves on the PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S Advisory Commission on Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and is the Co-Chair of the Data Disaggregation Subcommittee.