title: Falls-prevention programs for older ambulatory community dwellers: from public health research to health promotion policy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Falls result in significant morbidity and mortality among the elderly. The purpose was to review the public health research literature on falls prevention among community-dwelling older adults and derive evidence-based implications for health promotion policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  CINAHL, COCHRANE, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PUBMED databases were used to search the research literature concerning falls epidemiology, injury mechanisms, and falls-prevention strategies published during 1966-2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Falls affect one in three older adults living in the community and result in significant fall-related injuries that constitute an important and costly public health problem. There are numerous, but potentially modifiable, determinants of falls. Several community falls-prevention programs have been shown to reduce the incidence of falls and fall-related injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review suggests that there is compelling evidence from public health research to support health promotion policy for making societal investments in community falls-prevention programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Center for Health Promotion, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA. rm226@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Allegrante
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors