Citation

Towne SD, Smith ML, Xu M, Lee S, Sharma S, Smith D, Li Y, Fucci Y, Ory MG. J. Aging Health 2019; ePub(ePub): 898264318822381.

Affiliation

Texas A&M University, College Station, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264318822381

PMID

30614341

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Given that one in four older adults suffer potentially preventable falls annually, we aimed to identify areas with (a) delivery gaps of evidence-based programs (EBPs) targeting fall prevention among older adults, namely A Matter of Balance (AMOB), and (b) high rates of fall-related hospitalizations-hotspots.

METHOD: Analyses included multiple geospatially linked datasets.

RESULTS: EBPs were delivered ≥1 time in 84 counties in 2012 and 90 counties in 2014. Factors associated with EPB delivery gaps (absence; p<.05) included high-density older adult areas, non-fall-related hospitalization hotspots, lower population density, nonmetropolitan areas, high-density Hispanic adult areas, and areas with limited access to home health care agencies. Hotspots for fall-related hospitalization numbered 64 in 2012 and 62 in 2014. Factors associated with hotspots included low-density older adult areas, having AMOB delivered ≥1 time annually, high population density, and high-density Hispanic adult areas.

DISCUSSION: In resource-finite settings (e.g., the aging services sector), identifying high priority areas allows for precise allocation of limited resources.

Language: en

Keywords

falls; health; health policy; public policy