Falls Prevention: Translating Research into Action

1
Falls Prevention Translating Research into Action
Ileana Arias, Ph.D. Director National Center for
Injury Prevention and Control March 2008
2
(No Transcript)
3
The Burden of Injury

• Each year 30 million people experience a nonfatal
  injury serious enough to require a visit to an
  emergency department.
• Hospital emergency departments treat an average
  55 people for injuries every minute.
• Medical expenditures for injuries are
  approximately 117 billion dollars annually,
  about 10 of medical spending in the US.
• 406 billion in medical expenses and lost
  productivity

4
Total Cost of Injury by Mechanism
Motor Vehicle/other road user22
Other24
Firearm/gunshot9
Fall20
Drowning/submersion1
Poisoning6
Fire/Burn2
Cut/pierce4
Struck by/against12
5
Fatal and Nonfatal Fall Injuries Among People 65
1 - Died
14,900

26 - Treated in ED hospitalized
473,000
1.8 million
74 - Treated in ED released
1,360,000
Fall-related injuries
? Millions
6
(No Transcript)
7
Financial Cost

• In 2000, total direct medical cost of all fall
  injuries among people 65
• 19 billion
• Medicare costs for hip fractures
• 2.9 billion in 1991
• 240 billion projected for 2040

8
Whats Needed?

• Dissemination and evaluation of proven
  interventions as community programs
• Dissemination of prevention materials to health
  care providers and community organizations
• Widespread adoption

9
Proven InterventionsWhat Works?

• Exercise that improves lower body strengthen and
  balance
• Medication review with modification
• Education about risk factors
• Vision correction
• Reduce home hazards

10
Check for Safety A Home Fall Prevention
Checklist for Older Adults

• 16-page booklet
• Question and answer format
• Guide people through each room of their home
• Identify possible fall hazards

11
What You Can Do To Prevent Falls

• Quad-fold brochure and posters
• Highlights four key messages
• Begin a regular exercise program
• Have your health care provider review your
  medicines
• Have your vision checked
• Make your home safer

12
Fall Related TBI Campaign

• Raising awareness of prevention, recognition and
  response
• Fact sheet, brochure and booklet
• Primarily geared toward caregivers of older
  adults
• Developing various strategies to disseminate and
  promote the initiative through event planning and
  media outreach tools, social networking sites,
  e-cards
• Launch in March 2008-Brain Injury Awareness Month

13
Compendium of Effective Community-Based
Interventions

• 14 interventions with proven effectiveness in
  reducing falls among older adults.
• Provides details about interventions that use
  exercise, home modification, or multifaceted
  strategies.

14
Falls Prevention Program User Guide

• Provides community-based organizations a guide
  for developing fall prevention programs
• Describes the building blocks of effective fall
  prevention programs
• Examples
• Resources
• Tips for program creation, promotion, and
  evaluation

15
In Conclusion

• Falls among older adults have significant short
  term and long term implications for health
• CDC is working to identify and implement
  effective strategies for preventing falls and
  related injuries
• It is important to create a social context which
  values the widespread availability and
  implementation of programs