Shoe Facts
Most people view shoes as a fashion accessory, but they are an important part of your body armor, therefore not having shoes can negatively impact people's lives. This ranges from the 250,000 homeless Americans to the 14,000,000 women in Africa treading 3.7 miles of rough terrain a day just to fetch water for their families. There are millions of feet across the globe exposed to unforgiving elements.
Foot Structure
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Did you know that 25% of the body’s bones are in our feet? Improper footwear or no protective footwear at all can cause damage to our feet and can impact our everyday routines. Shoes are a foundational platform for our feet and help provide the support and stability our body needs. Without properly fitting shoes your body can get out of alignment leading to bad posture and back issues that lead to chronic pain. Also the body will cause unnecessary stress to your knees and feet leading to a painful existence.
Health
Aches and pains are not the only health concern. Shoes can protect your feet from bunions, corns and other foot conditions. People with compromised immune systems, such as diabetes, can form ulcers on their feet which could ultimately lead to amputation. Puncture wounds can be caused by stepping on sharp objects such as glass, nails, and needles which not only lead to infections like tetanus but also to the spread of blood borne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. Parasites that thrive in contaminated soil or water like hookworms can cause intestinal diseases and even death.
Economic Impact
There is also a serious economic impact. For example, in Africa some schools require shoes as a part of the school uniform, therefore preventing children with no shoes from attending. Even in the schools without these restrictions children drop out due to the harsh weather conditions they have to travel through barefooted. Adults seeking jobs to provide for their families have restrictions and limited opportunities without having protective footwear.
Environmental Effects
Americans alone throw out 300 million pairs of shoes a year according to the U.S Department of Interior, just because they outgrew them or because they are slightly worn out. Major shoe companies and department stores discard shoes that have too long of a shelf life because they are “unsellable”. These shoes end up in landfills, harming the environment. Leather shoes can take 24 to 40 years to decompose and shoes with rubber soles can take up to 80 years!!