BACKGROUND:
Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is defined as foot disease in a patient with diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM). DM screening and patient dispensary is well established in Slovakia (5 419 451 inhabitants in 2024), but the DFS prevention remains a major challenge. Social prescribing (SP) is a person-centered approach used by healthcare workers, connects people to non-clinical community activities.

METHODS:
We analysed data from the National Centre for Health Information and the Statistical Office of Slovakia.

RESULTS:
The number of registered diabetics with lower limb amputations in Slovakia ranged from 3,545 to 4,272 people from 2013 to 2024. The highest number was recorded in 2016 (4,272 people) and the lowest in 2023 (3,545 people). We bring practice-based reflection of SP in DFS prevention from the communities of Bratislava III and IV districts: 1. Diet adherence: The Bratislava IV District Municipal Office (MO) provides meals for seniors in several ways depending on their health status and mobility. 2. Physical activity: MO supports physical activities for seniors in the beautiful natural environment (especially Nordic walking group). 3. Lower limb care: Foot care is often literally the Achilles heel of a diabetic. The goal is to prevent a diabetic's foot from becoming a diabetic foot. We encourage patients to inform each other about current pedicure options in their place of residence. 4. Adherence to treatment: In cooperation with MO, we organize lectures and workshops on disease prevention for senior in Bratislava District III and E. Kovacova director of Slovak League Against Cancer in Bratislava III District., where the patients exchange also their own experiences.

CONCLUSIONS:
The level of knowledge in DM management is constantly improving, but it may not be accessible to patients with adverse social characteristics. SP has the potential to be an effective mediator between evidence-based medicine and diabetics.