Several papers published recently address the increasing problem of falls among the elderly. Medical and social costs of fall-induced injuries are even larger when considering work, sports and leisure activities in the total population. A wide range of subject characteristics have been shown to predict falls. Much uncertainty remains still, as to which factors determine fall risk and which factors should be the primary targets for intervention. In spite of large investments in research on both causes and prevention, the problem is not affected much in practice. The benefits of research for public health need some further understanding.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0002-0729 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afm027 ID - ref1 ER -