Fall Prevention

Fall Prevention

  • Falls are a substantial public health issue across the county. A fall is defined as an event which results in a person coming to rest unintentionally on the ground, floor, or other lower level. In 2019, across the U.S., falls were the leading cause of injury death among those who were 65 and older, resulting in 34,000 deaths [ii].  In 2020, unintentional falls were also the third leading cause of unintentional injury in the United States for ages 1-44 [i]. In 2020, falls continued to be the leading cause of unintentional injury death for those age 65+ and the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death among those of all ages in Georgia [i]. Falls are also the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries across Georgia [iv].
  • Despite the impact of falls on communities within Georgia, many falls are preventable. While Georgians 65+ are disproportionately impacted by falls, fall prevention is a team effort and can be addressed at all ages. The Core SIPP Team has found successes in evidence-based prevention approaches and will be implementing a Fall Prevention Nature Walk in Central and South Georgia to promote evidence-based prevention strategies across the lifespan.

Fall Prevention Initiatives Through Core SIPP:

  • STEADI - CDC’s Injury Center created this initiative for healthcare providers who treat older adults who are at risk of falling, or who may have fallen in the past.
    • STEADI consists of three core elements:
      • Screen patients for fall risk,
      • Assess modifiable risk factors, and
      • Intervene to reduce risk by using effective clinical and community strategies.
  • Falls Free Check-Up – National Council on Aging
    • Falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and it is important to check your risk. There are many steps you can take to prevent a fall; talking to your primary care provider, reviewing your medication, participating in an exercise program and keeping your home safe. Completing the Falls Free Check-up will provide those of all ages with a falls risk score and additional resources to prevent falls.

 

For questions or more information, contact:

DeAndre Cain

CDC CORE Grant PI and Program Manager

Suicide Prevention Grant Co-PI

[email protected]

 

[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: WISQARS (Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System) - 10 Leading Causes of Death by Age Group, Georgia, 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html

[ii] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Older Adult Falls. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data/index.html

[iii] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: STEADI. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/about.html

[iv] Annual Report (2021) Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Commission. Available at: https://bsitf.georgia.gov/annual-reports

 

Page last updated 12/21/2022