title: Reconsidering the approach to prevention recommendations for older adults.
abstract: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) bases its recommendations on an evidence-based model of clinical prevention that focuses on specific diseases, well-defined preventive interventions, and evidence of improved health outcomes. Applying this model to prevention for very old patients has been problematic for several reasons: Many geriatric disorders have multiple risk factors, interventions, and expected outcomes; older adults are not often represented in clinical trials; and important outcomes may not be measured and reported in ways that are conducive to evidence synthesis and interpretation. In 2005, the USPSTF convened a geriatrics workgroup to refine USPSTF methodology and processes to better address the preventive needs of older adults. The USPSTF has begun to apply these new approaches to the review and recommendation on interventions to prevent falls in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Rosanne M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Leipzig
authors.forename: Evelyn P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Whitlock
authors.forename: Tracy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Yvonne L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petitti
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilt
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siu
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends