title: Fall risk and prevention needs assessment in an older adult Latino population: a model community global health partnership.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of falls in older adults presents a significant public health burden. Fall risk is not well-described in Latino populations nor have fall prevention programs considered the needs of this population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to develop a needs assessment of falls in older adult Latinos at a community center (CC), determine fall prevention barriers and strengths in this population, determine the level of interest in various fall prevention methods, and provide medical students an opportunity for participation in a culturally diverse community project.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of older adult program participants. The survey was developed in collaboration with both partners. CC participants were approached by the interviewer and asked to participate. They were read the survey in their preferred language and their answers were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We conducted 103 interviews. We found that 54% of participants had fallen in the last year, and of those 21% required medical care, 81% were afraid of falling again, and 66% considered themselves at risk for falling again. Of all respondents, 52% had 5 or more of the 10 surveyed risk factors for falling; 4% had no risk factors. Of all respondents, 75% were afraid of falling. Talking with health care providers and participating in an exercise class were the preferred methods of health information delivery (78% and 65%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adult Latinos in this selected population frequently fall and are worried about falling. Risk factors are prevalent. A fall prevention program is warranted and should include exercise classes and a connection with local primary care providers. A partnership between an academic organization and a CC is an ideal collaboration for the future development of prevention program.
authors.affiliation: Injury Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Erin R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Hanlin
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delgado-Rendón
authors.forename: E Brooke
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hargarten
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Farías
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration