Washington, D.C., March 2, 2006 - The American Public Health Association (APHA) today announced its support of Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month. This observance is part of a national effort led by the Coalition to Prevent DVT to raise awareness of the life-threatening but preventable medical condition and its potentially fatal complication, pulmonary embolism (PE).
According to the American Heart Association, DVT affects up to 2 million Americans annually. Deep-vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, partially or completely blocking circulation. Pulmonary embolism, a serious complication from DVT, can occur when a fragment of a blood clot migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery.
"Deep-vein thrombosis is an important public health problem," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of the American Public Health Association, "however, nearly three-quarters of Americans are unaware of this potentially fatal but preventable disorder. We can reduce the risks of DVT's serious and life-threatening complications if we raise education and awareness among the public."
The Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis represents more than 39 organizations, including APHA. For more information, visit www.preventdvt.org. Read a white paper from the Public Health Leadership Conference on Deep-Vein Thrombosis.