Engebretson, MarkAlan Hirsch2023-10-192023-10-192010-11-16https://hdl.handle.net/11299/257570Runtime 1:30 minutesThis resource is provided for informational purposes only and may not reflect current scientific knowledge or medical recommendations.Welcome to Public Health Moment from the University of Minnesota. PAD or Peripheral Artery Disease, is a debilitating condition in which blood flow to the arteries in the legs is obstructed. It affects about 8 million Americans and is considered a risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. New research shows that hospitalizations and treatment costs for PAD increase substantially as the disease progresses. University of Minnesota epidemiologist Alan Hirsch led the study. <Alan: “Both I and my co-investigators are concerned that for a very common disease such as PAD that this nation may no longer be able to sustain such very high costs from procedures that are not always durable. It will be critical in the future to identify strategies of care that are equally effective, at low harm, high long-term benefit, and ideally lower cost.”> Hirsch adds that a national clinical trial is looking at ways to lower these costs. <Alan: “For individuals seeking information from their physician regarding the most effective, least harmful, and most cost-effective method of treating their PAD, there is a clinical trial called CLEVER. And information can be achieved at the CLEVER website, www.cleverstudy.org. Individuals in such studies are offered access to the best current strategies of care and their information can be used so that future patients and physicians can choose their care in the best manner possible.”> For Public Health Moment, I’m Mark Engebretson.enAudio