September 15, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) – The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) announced its support today for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call-to-Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., Acting U.S. Surgeon General, issued a Call-to-Action to drive awareness to reduce the number of cases of DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the United States.
The Surgeon General’s Call-to-Action on DVT seeks to stimulate action in all sectors of society to solve a major public health problem. It is supported by specific action steps to achieve the goals of the Call-to-Action at the national, state, and community levels.
Today’s Call-to-Action places DVT alongside other medical issues the Surgeon General has deemed national priorities, including underage drinking, obesity, and smoking. While the health risks associated with being overweight or consuming alcohol and tobacco are well-known, according to a Coalition survey presented at the 2006 Surgeon General’s Workshop on DVT, only one in four Americans are aware of DVT.i DVT occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation.
The Call-to-Action on DVT advocates increased public awareness efforts on this condition, targeting both the general public and healthcare providers. “DVT has remained under the radar for too long,” said Melanie Bloom, Coalition to Prevent DVT National Patient Spokesperson. “It is high time that we as a nation engage in a concerted effort to increase awareness of this serious and often deadly illness that affects more and more Americans every year.”
Each year up to two million people in the United States suffer from DVT, and approximately 300,000 die from its potentially fatal complication, pulmonary embolism (PE). In fact, DVT-related complications kill more Americans each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. DVT-related PE is the most common cause of preventable hospital death. Certain individuals may be at increased risk for developing DVT, but it can occur in almost anyone.
The Call-to-Action emphasizes the need for increased awareness and evidence-based practices for DVT and PE. According to the Call-to-Action, “Every hospital should develop a formal plan that addresses DVT prophylaxis.”
“The Coalition’s hope is that the Call-to-Action will draw attention to DVT amongst the highest levels of healthcare professionals,” said Coalition Steering Committee Member Samuel Z. Goldhaber, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. “We view today’s Call-to-Action as a great step toward enhancing and broadening the efforts of the Coalition to Prevent DVT, and we thank the Office of the Surgeon General and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for their continued support and leadership.”
“The Surgeon General’s Call-to-Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism 2008” can be read in its entirety at www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/index.html.
For additional information regarding the Coalition to Prevent DVT, please visit www.preventdvt.org.
About Office of the Surgeon General’s Call-to-Action
The Surgeon General, the Nation’s top public health officer, is appointed by the President of the United States to help protect and promote the health of the Nation. The Surgeon General, a physician, provides the American people with the latest scientific information on how to improve their health and to reduce their risk for illness or injury. When a health topic warrants special attention, the Surgeon General may issue a national Call-to-Action.
The Call-to-Action urges a coordinated, multifaceted plan to reduce the number of cases of DVT and PE nationwide. The plan emphasizes the need for:
- Increased awareness about DVT and PE
- Evidence-based practices for DVT
- More research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of DVT.
The Call-to-Action resulted from a Surgeon General’s workshop on DVT which was convened in May 2006. The workshop was co-sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. This workshop was funded by sanofi-aventis.
About Deep-Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
DVT occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation. If left untreated, this clot has the potential to move into the lungs and block circulation to this vital organ creating a life threatening condition – known as pulmonary embolism (PE) – requiring immediate medical attention. Complications from DVT kill more people each year in the U.S. than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
Certain individuals may be at increased risk for developing DVT; however, it can occur in almost anyone. Additional risk factors include, but are not limited to restricted mobility, cancer, certain heart or respiratory diseases, major surgery, such as hip or knee replacements, advanced age, oral contraceptives or hormone therapy. It is important to consult your healthcare provider about the signs and symptoms associated with DVT. For more information, visit www.preventdvt.org.
About the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis
In February 2003, more than 60 organizations assembled at the Public Health Leadership Conference on Deep-Vein Thrombosis in Washington, D.C. to discuss the urgent need to make DVT a major U.S. public health priority. As a result of this meeting, which was co-hosted by the American Public Health Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and funded by sanofi-aventis, participants agreed to establish a Coalition of organizations committed to educating the public and healthcare community about DVT. To date, more than 50 organizations have joined the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis, comprised of national thought leaders and representatives from key organizations, including the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Public Health Association and the Society of Hospital Medicine.
The mission of the Coalition to Prevent DVT is to reduce the immediate and long-term dangers of DVT and PE, which together comprise one of the nation's leading causes of death. The Coalition will educate the public, healthcare professionals and policy-makers about risk factors, symptoms and signs associated with DVT, as well as identify evidence-based measures to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality from DVT and PE. For more information, visit www.preventdvt.org. The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis is funded by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.