Preventing falls and fall-related injuries among older people

Deaths and disability from falls are important contributors to the global burden of disease and injury Consequently, there is a need to identify and implement strategies that have been shown to be effective in preventing falls and falls-related injuries. As the effects of such interventions are likely to be moderate, the identification of effective interventions can only be Provided by randomised controlled trials and their meta-analyses. Currently known effective interventions include risk assessment and targeted multi-factorial interventions, physical activity and, possibly, reductions in psychotropic medication, as well as the use of hip protective underwear, vitamin D and calcium, and alendronate. Substantial progress in reducing the incidence of falls and fall-related injuries globally is likely to occur if knowledge about currently known effective interventions is widely disseminated and implemented. Further progress will be made if large-scale randomised controlled trials are conducted that can both confirm the effectiveness of these promising interventions and examine other interventions suggested from observational studies.