Citation

Mitchell RJ, Watson WL, Milat A, Chung AZ, Lord S. J. Saf. Res. 2013; 45: 7-13.

Affiliation

Falls and Injury Prevention Group, Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: r.mitchell@unsw.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2012.11.005

PMID

23708471

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fall-related injuries among older people is a significant public health issue. METHOD: To identify medical, general health and lifestyle factors associated with falls and multiple falls in older persons, a representative sample of people aged 65+ years living in the community in New South Wales (NSW) Australia were surveyed regarding their falls experience, lifestyle and general health. RESULTS: One-quarter of respondents indicated they had fallen in the past 12 months. People who fell were more likely to be aged 85+ years, have cataracts, musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders, major diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems, use four or more medications, use a mobility aid and be overweight than non-fallers. Individuals aged 85+ years and those who experienced circulatory diseases, used four or more medications and used mobility aids were more likely to experience multiple falls. DISCUSSION: This representative population-based survey reinforces the multi-factorial nature of falls and the complex interaction of risk factors that increase the likelihood of individuals having a fall or multiple falls. Agencies focused on community-based fall prevention strategies should adopt a systematic, integrated approach to reduce the burden of fall injury at the population-level and should have mechanisms in place at the population-level to monitor the success of fall reduction strategies.

Language: en