World Foot Health Awareness Month 2008

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May this year has been designated World Foot Health Awareness Month. Although the SCP is not promoting it’s feet for life month this year, as a member of the International Federation of Podiatrists, we actively endorse and promote this initiative to members, and encourage members to take part and promote foot health in their local area.

A guide to World Foot Health Awareness month has been produced by members of the World Foot Health Awareness Committee who are keenly aware of the importance and value of Foot Health Awareness Month to members of the podiatric profession and to the public we serve.

The guide is divided into three sections:

Section 1 – Public Relations.
This contains sample press releases, talking points for speeches and articles, Head of School letter, sample 30-second public service announcements, European-wide media outlets, sample declaration statement, FAQ’s about foot Care and the top 10 foot problems

Section II – Public Information
This contains a true and false questionnaire on general foot health, travel tips – ideas for good foot health when travelling, ten tips for healthy feet, FIP member websites, and recommendations for starting a walking programme.

Section III – Foot Health Information
This contains what you should know about your podiatrist and the podiatric profession, tips for buying shoes for adults and children; and examples of common foot and ankle ailments, including diabetic ulcers, corns, callus, bunions, ingrowing toenails, fungal nail infections, etc.

The guide is designed so that podiatrists can use the information in a variety of ways, either in printed form or online. As FIP continues to grow and progress, it is hoped that the guide will become an increasingly valuable resource for the international podiatric medical community.

In addition, the Committee has prepared a poster for member associations to mark World Foot Health Awareness Month. This year’s poster, modelled on the 2005 poster, a foot ready to launch an Olympian, is shown on the facing page.

The Committee has also prepared a Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) Guide that will provide essential information for members in order to facilitate cooperation between FIP members and members of the CAB.

SPECIAL FOCUS SECTION:

The Fédération Internationale des Podologues (FIP) is dedicating its 2008 Special Focus Section to the foot health problems experienced by individuals with multiple disabilities including both intellectual and physical disabilities of Special Olympic Athletes.

This Special Focus Section relies significantly upon information and data derived through its Committee on the Special Olympics chaired by Dr. Patrick Nunan who also serves as Global Clinical Advisor to Fit Feet, the newest initiative of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes.

This year, the Special Focus Section entitled: ‘Special Olympic Athletes and their Foot Health Problems’, will be printed separately from the Resource Guide. The Special Focus Section is replete with valuable information on the role of the podiatrist in meeting the foot health needs of these special athletes.

World Foot Health Awareness Month Committee
Kel Sherkin, Canada
Margrét Jónsdóttir, Iceland
Mike Erchen, South Africa

The World Foot Health Awareness 2008 guide and poster are available to download from the FIP website: www.fipnet.org

London District  27-Apr-2008
Categories:  Footnote

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