title: (Preventing) two birds with one stone: improving vitamin D levels in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A majority of adults have sub-optimal vitamin D levels in the winter in southern New Zealand. This is associated with an increased risk of falls and fragility fractures in the elderly, with long-term adverse outcomes likely. Vitamin D supplementation decreases the risks of both falls and fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  An intervention was undertaken by a small urban general practice to increase the number of elderly patients receiving vitamin D supplementation by linking vitamin D prescription to the annual flu vaccination campaign.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uptake of the supplementation was high and costs to the practice low. Thirty-eight patients were identified for whom long-term supplementation with vitamin D was indicated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study could have been strengthened by incorporating a more formal method of evaluating uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Encouraging patients to take supplements as a population-based strategy is a realistic intervention, and linking it to the flu vaccination campaign is both seasonally appropriate and efficient.
authors.affiliation: Amity Health Centre, 343 Highgate, Roslyn, Dunedin 9010, New Zealand. susie@amityhc.co.nz
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lawless
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Prue
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leitch
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058006:General Practice / Q000191:economics; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009520:New Zealand; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D