School of Podiatric Medicine Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
- Diabetes in the Rio Grande Valley is widespread and severe. Nearly 1 in 3 adults is affected, with foot ulcers and amputations occurring at rates far above state and national averages.
- Social drivers of health (SDOH) strongly influence outcomes. Poverty, uninsurance, limited education, transportation barriers, and distance from specialty centers delay care and increase amputation risk.
- Living conditions amplify risk. Colonias, unincorporated settlements often lacking clean water, sewer systems, or reliable electricity, make diabetes management and preventive foot care especially challenging.
- Data-driven identification of high-risk populations is critical. Zip code–level SDOH data, integrated into electronic medical records, can serve as a surrogate for direct SDOH measurement, enabling targeted interventions where individual-level screening is limited.
- Community-based interventions are actionable solutions. Mobile clinics, community health workers (promotoras), culturally tailored education, and early peripheral artery disease screening can reduce late-stage presentations, prevent amputation, and improve equity in care.
Recommended Citation
Killeen, A. L., Campbell, S. N., Jean, N., Lopez Alvarenga, J. C., Wang, X., Dove, C. R., & Fife, C. E. (2026). Walking the Line: How Social Forces Shape Diabetic Foot Outcomes in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpm.2025.12.015
Publication Title
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Academic Level
faculty
DOI
10.1016/j.cpm.2025.12.015
Comments
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