American Indian man's awareness of Peripheral Artery Disease causes

Peripheral Artery Disease Care

Multiple factors contribute to racial, ethnic and gender-based disparities in care for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Deepen your knowledge of risk factors and barriers to care.

Who’s at Risk?

It’s estimated that 6.5 million people in the U.S. over age 40 have PAD,
and women with PAD have a higher mortality associated with PAD than males.1

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American Indians and people of African descent have the highest rates of PAD in the United States.

Blacks have twice the rate of PAD than Caucasians at any given age.2

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Insight from Underserved PAD Patients

In order to help you understand how to best reach undertreated minority groups at the local level, Boston Scientific commissioned a market research study on traditionally underserved populations across the country. Researchers engaged with people who identified as being either at high risk or who have already been diagnosed with PAD in order to capture demographic, psycho-graphic and behavioral insights. Below is a snapshot of patients’ perceptions. You can also download a one-page summary.

Download key insights
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Barriers to Accessing PAD Care

The market research study found that people with PAD identify these top obstacles in getting care after diagnosis:

  • 40% cite cost of healthcare or insurance
  • 36% cite physical limitations
  • 32% cite distance to care
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Barriers to Delayed PAD Care

For many, it took more than six months to get care after experiencing PAD symptoms. Those who delayed gave these top reasons:

  1. They thought they were just getting older
  2. They were managing their symptoms at home the best they could
  3. They didn’t think it was serious enough to seek urgent care
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Barriers to PAD Treatment

The study found that 54% of patients decided to put off surgery or a procedure for as long as possible in the past, with these reasons most often cited:

  • 44% were afraid to have the surgery or procedure
  • 37% were worried about how to pay for it 
  • 33% were worried they would die        

What Can Help Underserved PAD Patients

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Give Educational Materials

  • 78% want additional information about treatment options
  • 40% want their treatment options written out
  • 78% are searching for treatment options online

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Increase Communication & Access

  • 38% want online appointments
  • 38% are looking to text with their doctor’s office
  • 30% ask for weekend appointments  

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Connect with Your Patients

  • 36% of people with PAD get nervous around doctors, which means that they might not feel comfortable telling you about symptoms or concerns
  • It may help to ask patients if they feel like they have a strong support system, and what might help

Healthcare Disparity Details

Clinical research diversity

Increase Clinical Research Diversity

A total of 78% of PAD patient respondents say they’re “somewhat” or “very" likely to participate in a clinical trial – but 70% have never been asked to participate in one.  Learn about opportunities for increasing research diversity and find educational materials to inform your patients.

Learn about clinical trial diversity
Untreated areas around you

Who’s Going Untreated in Your Area?

Boston Scientific can provide you with a  ZIP-code specific Disparity Index Report with epidemiological data about which diseases are impacting your community and the disparity in treatment.

Learn more

How Can Close The Gap Support You?

Boston Scientific dedicated Health Equity Consultants are here to build a personalized program
to help you target your at-risk demographics – at no expense to you.

Contact us

References:

1 American Heart Association (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2019 update. 
2 Shu, J. Santulli, G. (2018). Update on peripheral artery disease: epidemiology and evidence-based facts. Atherosclerosis.

 

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