Early action can protect feet, mobility and quality of life.
This World Diabetes Day, Wounds Canada joins the global call for early action on diabetes.
For people living with diabetes, early action can mean identifying risk, recognising changes to the feet and skin, and getting the right care before a small problem becomes a serious complication.
Everyone has a role to play — from people living with diabetes and care partners to health-care professionals, organizations, advocates and policy makers.
Why early action on diabetes matters
Diabetes can affect the health of the feet in several ways. Loss of sensation, changes in circulation and other diabetes-related complications can increase the risk of foot problems.
The earlier a risk or change is identified, the sooner action can be taken.
Early action can help:
- prevent foot complications
- identify problems before they become more serious
- support timely, evidence-informed care
- protect mobility and independence
- improve quality of life
Wounds Canada promotes a prevention-first approach to diabetes-related foot health—because the best time to act is before a serious complication develops.
Early action is a shared responsibility
Early action isn't something that rests on one person.
- People living with diabetes and care partners need accessible information and support to recognise risk and changes early
- Health-care professionals need the knowledge, tools and resources to identify risk and intervene early
- Health systems and policy makers need pathways that make prevention, assessment and timely care accessible
- Organizations and communities can help make foot health and diabetes education part of everyday prevention
- Everyone has a role to play in acting early
From awareness to action
Knowing your risk, recognizing the signs and seeking assessment early can help prevent and manage diabetes-related foot complications.
1 - Know the risk
Understand factors that can increase the risk of diabetes-related foot complications
2 - Check regularly
Regular foot and skin assessment can help identify changes early
3 - Act Promptly
Don't wait for a small problem to become a serious complication
4 - Follow up
Ongoing assessment and appropriate care help support prevention and reduce recurrence
The goal?
Prevent complications before they become serious—and support better outcomes when they do.
Everyone has a role to play
Know your feet. Act early.
Learn how to care for your feet at home, recognise changes and know when to seek help.
Explore
- Safe Foot Care if You Have Diabetes
- Diabetic Foot Complications
- DIY Series: Neuropathic/Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Diabetes, Healthy Feet & You website
- Know your rights: The Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
- Find support via our clinic directory
Health-care professionals
See risk early. Act early.
Use evidence-informed resources to identify risk, prevent complications and provide timely care.
Explore:
- Best Practice Recommendations 2025: Prevention and Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Best Practice Recommendations Brief on Diabetic Foot Ulcers
- Foot Health Pathway for People Living with Diabetes
- Diabetes, Healthy Feet & You website
- Wounds Canada education
Advocates and policy makers
Make early action possible.
Early action depends not only on individual choices but on systems that support prevention, early identification and timely care.
Explore:
Additional resources
Support early action
Help make prevention possible.
Preventing diabetes-related foot complications takes more than awareness. It takes education, evidence, resources and timely access to care.
Wounds Canada is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing skin health and excellence in wound management across Canada. Through education, advocacy, research, patient resources and community-building, Wounds Canada works to help prevent wounds before they occur and improve care for people living with wounds.
Your support helps us continue this work.