[Diabetic foot from the social medicine viewpoint]

Despite continuously rising health expenditures since 1989 (Declaration of St. Vincent) no demonstrable improvements in health were achieved for diabetic patients. In poorly treated patients quality of life and life expectance are impaired by complications. In addition, these patients account for a huge burden of health expenditures. Education is the key both to preventing diabetes and successfully treating patients with diabetes. Integrated activities of purchasers, their medical review boards and of all medical healthcare providers could improve the quality of therapy and reduce the costs.