THIS KNOWVEMBER, IT IS TIME TO #knowDPN
KNOWvember 2024
Each November, the U.S. Pain Foundation highlights a different pain-related topic. This year, our focus is on diabetic nerve pain, also known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), through our initiative, #knowDPN. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the seriousness of diabetes-related pain, highlight the importance of early detection, and guide individuals on accessing specialized care and treatment options to improve health outcomes.
Throughout the month, we’ll share key facts on diabetes-related pain across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Our resources will include an infographic on essential foot care for those with DPN and two informative articles—one emphasizing the value of early detection and preventive measures and the other debunking common myths about diabetic nerve pain. Additionally, we’ll host a webinar focused on understanding DPN’s diagnosis and management and three interactive online events to dive into DPN’s impact, available educational resources, and insights from individuals with lived experience.
On this page, you’ll find all the information you need to become involved this KNOWvember with #knowDPN.
webinar: navigating the diagnosis & management of diabetic nerve pain
Our 2024 KNOWvember webinar featured Dr. Priyanka Singla, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Dr. Singla provided valuable insights into the diagnostic process for diabetic nerve pain, explored effective management strategies, and highlighted the promise of the latest advancements and ongoing research, offering hope to those living with this condition.
Articles
Exploring the DPN Pipeline: Insights, Innovations, and Hope
This November, the U.S. Pain Foundation has dedicated its efforts to helping people get to #knowDPN. Through our KNOWvember campaign, we’ve explored diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in-depth—from understanding and preventing diabetic nerve pain...
7 Myths and Facts About DPN
Myth: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is only a concern for people with long-term diabetes. Fact: DPN can develop in individuals with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, regardless of how long they’ve had the condition. It can also start to show...
Take Steps Today: Preventing, Detecting, and Slowing the Progression of DPN
Being diagnosed with diabetes raises a variety of concerns, but one many people aren’t aware of is this: Up to half of those with this metabolic disorder will go on to develop another condition in their lifetime, a progressive nerve disease called...
Get to #knowDPN this KNOWvember
The complications associated with diabetes are numerous—and overwhelming. But in the flurry of managing diabetes and its potential comorbidities and symptoms, one is often forgotten: nerve damage and pain. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN),...
watch past online events
Get to KNOW DPN: A Health Hack Event
Missed our short video on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)? Or perhaps you watched it and want to share it with others? We’ve got you covered! Click here to watch the recording of our DPN video, created in collaboration with Humana Neighborhood Centers.
Get to KNOW DPN: The Lived Experience
Missed our event on sharing the journey of those living with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)? No worries! You can still watch the recording. Hear firsthand about the struggles, daily challenges, and hopes for the future. Together, we can share our stories and gain valuable insights into the DPN experience.
Get to KNOW the INvisible Project: Diabetes Edition
Missed our event sharing even more resources to help those with diabetes-related pain? Well, we have got you covered!
NEW RESOURCE FOR YOU
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
There are MANY easy ways you can help share the information you learn this KNOWvember with others, such as:
- Download our infographic or order your own print copy.
- Like, comment, and share/retweet our posts on social media.
- Use the hashtags #knowDPN and #KNOWvember in all your social media posts in November.
- Read and share articles.
- Watch and share our webinar.
- Register and join our online events.
- Do you live with diabetes, DPN, or diabetes-related pain — or does a loved one, or your patients? Check out the Diabetes edition of our INvisible Project magazine. You can read and share it online, or order free print copies to read or distribute!
Social Media Fact Sources
- Fact: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a disease experienced by those living with diabetes caused by high blood sugar that damages the nerves, most often in the feet. It can lead to loss of sensation and pain, as well as undetected injuries and the need for amputations. | Source
- Fact: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) can affect as many as 50% of people living with diabetes. | Source
- Fact: A team supported by the NIH HEAL initiative is exploring a treatment that would treat DPN by targeting its source: hyperactive nerve cells.| Source
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Fact: While there are 1.4 million people diagnosed with diabetes each year, millions more are undiagnosed, leaving them at risk for undetected complications such as DPN. | Source
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Fact: Less than one-third of physicians can recognize signs of DPN. | Source
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Fact: Up to 80% of DPN cases are undiagnosed in people with diabetes and prediabetes. | Source
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Fact: About 50% of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer at some point in their life, and diabetes complications are a leading cause of lower-limb amputation. | Source
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Fact: Five-year mortality rates for individuals with diabetic foot ulcers, a complication of diabetes and DPN, is 30.5%, compared to 31.0% for all types of cancer. | Source
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Fact: Lower-limb amputations are 10 times more common in people with diabetes than in those without, and someone in the world loses a lower limb due to diabetes-related complications every 30 seconds. | Source
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Fact: Individuals who undergo a diabetes-related amputation have a high risk of mortality, with a five-year survival rate of only 40-48%. | Source
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Fact: Comprehensive foot care, including early screenings, education, prevention, and referral to specialists can reduce amputation rates in those with diabetes by 49-85%. | Source
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Our 2024 KNOWvember campaign is made possible through contributions from Averitas and Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
