Oral

Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and the third leading cause of injury deaths in the U.S. Falls represent the second highest economic burden of injury after motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. In the year 2000, the economic burden of fall related injuries was about $81 billion in the U.S., as compared to $89 billion due to motor vehicle related injuries. Older adults are at increased risk of falls and at increased risk of injuries after a fall. At work, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that between 2004 and 2010, the proportion of occupational fall injuries leading to days away from work has steadily increased. According to the 2011 Liberty Mutual Work Place Safety Index, between 1998 and 2009, the direct cost of occupational injuries from falls on same level has also increased by 34.2%. As population is ageing in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, the injuries from falls may continue to rise in the future. Falls and injuries from falls result from a complex interplay between intrinsic factors (bone strength, muscle strength, reaction time, vision etc.) and extrinsic factors (floor, footwear, floor contamination, lighting etc.). For example, decreased bone strength is an important risk factor for fracture and a lot of attention has focused on determinants of bone strength and ways to improve it. However, even among elderly populations with a high prevalence of osteoporosis, only a small minority of same-level falls result in fracture. The home and workplace provide unique design issues and exposures to risk of falls. Researchers have generally focused on either the intrinsic or the extrinsic risk factors for falls. As falls remain the leading cause of nonfatal injuries among all age groups, a more holistic approach is needed to prevent falls across the age spectrum. This session brings together researcher from different fields to discuss burden of injuries from falls and fall prevention in a comprehensive way.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for falls and injuries from falls 2. Describe the burden of falls in general population and in work settings 3. Discuss fall intervention in general population and in work settings

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)