"Help seniors live better, longer: prevent brain injury": an overview of CDC's education initiative to prevent fall-related TBI among older adults.
BACKGROUND
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among older adults aged 75 and older. Despite this burden, many older adults, their caregivers, and professionals are not aware of the importance of TBI as an outcome of falls among older adults.


METHODS
To address this important public health problem, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the "Help Seniors Live Better, Longer: Prevent Brain Injury" initiative to help raise awareness about methods to prevent, recognize and respond to fall-related TBIs among older adults aged 75 and older.


RESULTS
The initiative was launched in March 2008, in collaboration with 26 participating organizations, and included a multipronged outreach strategy to help blanket the country with the messages of the initiative at the national, state, and local levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to a logical, comprehensive health-education approach has proven to be highly effective in furthering the initial goals of the project.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. KSarmiento@cdc.gov
Kelly
K
Sarmiento
Jean A
JA
Langlois
Jane
J
Mitchko
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014481:United States