LESSONS LEARNED FROM U.S. INJURY PREVENTION INITIATIVES: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS

摘要

As a national leader in falls prevention, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has funded several state-wide initiatives to examine the impact of multi-level approaches to falls prevention for older adults. A 5-year evaluation conducted by Texas A&M and its partners at the University of Georgia and University of North Carolina has tested the scalability and sustainability of group based community-based programs, home-based individualized programs, and clinical practice changes for increased screening and referral for those with falls risk. Findings from surveys and objective functional assessments demonstrate the success of interventions such as Stepping on and Tai-CHI as well as the American adaptation of Otago in terms of improvements in fall-related functional abilities and mobility. There has also been a growing appreciation of clinic-based approaches and the importance of enhancing linkages to community programs. This presentation will highlight lessons learned and implications for international efforts in falls prevention.