Pressure ulcers – also known as pressure injuries or bedsores – remain one of healthcare’s most costly and painful challenges. Despite being well known and often preventable, pressure ulcers affect millions of people every year, especially the elderly and those with limited mobility.
These injuries occur when tissue receives too little oxygen due to prolonged pressure, often at bony areas like the hips, heels, or sacrum. This leads to cell death, pain, infection risk, and potentially life-threatening complications.
According to WHO, up to 20% of hospital patients in Europe suffer from pressure ulcers. In the US, annual treatment costs exceed $26 billion. In Sweden alone, the estimated cost is over SEK 2 billion per year.
The core issue is not just that pressure ulcers occur, but that so little changes in prevention. Many hospitals still use mattresses without evidence-based support. Yet, we know that microcirculation, movement, and intelligent pressure redistribution are key.
The Starfish platform offers dynamic pressure distribution, improved microcirculation, and enhanced comfort. It’s time to address pressure ulcers for what they truly are: a global, costly, and often preventable burden.
Why Pressure Ulcers Are Still a Global Public Health Problem – And What We Can Do About It
