Medical societies launch varicose veins campaign

New York - Three medical societies - the Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Venous Forum and the American College of Phlebology - have joined to launch Rethink Varicose Veins, a campaign aimed at boosting public awareness of the condition as a significant health issue.

The launch was announced at the 38th annual Symposium on Vascular and Endovascular Issues, Techniques and Horizons, held here in mid-November.

Rethink Varicose Veins is designed to educate consumers about varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and to engage physicians in the initiative. Key to the campaign is the website RethinkVaricoseVeins.com, which not only provides information to consumers, but also enables healthcare professionals to join the campaign’s physician locator and download an electronic toolkit. The kit includes an e-flier, banner ads and content for physician websites, Facebook and Twitter pages.

In a Rethink Varicose Veins news release, Boston vascular surgeon and campaign spokesperson Julianne Stoughton, M.D., said, “The development of varicose veins is often the first sign of venous insufficiency, and this can progress to more serious consequences of CVI including swelling, skin changes and ulceration. It’s clear that this connection is largely misunderstood. As leading medical societies with a deep understanding of this condition, we believe the time is right for an educational campaign to help elevate awareness among patients and encourage dialogue with a vein specialist.”

Healthcare products company Covidien sponsors the initiative.

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