Introduction: Older adult (≥65 years) falls are common and may result in severe injuries. There is limited knowledge about what proportion of older adults who fall sustain injuries that need medical attention. Screening is the first step in helping older adults reduce their risk of falls. However, there is limited research on how well current fall screeners can predict fall injuries. Methods: Previously collected data from community-dwelling older adults enrolled in a 13-month long study, from the AmeriSpeak Panel, were analyzed. Baseline survey included questions related to demographics, falls risk factors, and falls risk screeners (CDC's 3 Key Questions (3KQ) and Stay Independent). Weighted percentages and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of older adults reporting one or more falls, fall-related injuries, falls needing any medical attention, falls resulting in doctor visits, and falls resulting in Emergency Department (ED) visits and/or hospitalization by demographics and fall risk factors were calculated. Risk ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to compare the two screeners’ ability to predict fall injury outcomes. Results: Among older adults who fell, 24.8% had an injury resulting in any medical attention, 14.5% sought treatment at a doctor's office, and 14.3% sought treatment at an ED/hospital. Sensitivity estimates for baseline 3KQ and Stay Independent screeners for falls resulting in an ED/hospital visit were 87.3% and 75.0%, respectively. Specificity estimates were 47.4% and 63.6%. Conclusion: At least one in four older adults who fell needed medical attention. The 3KQ or Stay Independent screeners identified a large proportion of older adults who sought treatment at an ED/hospital for falls. However, using them may result in a large number of false positives. Practical Application: Clinicians may use these screeners to identify older adults at high fall injury risk, assess them for specific risk factors, and intervene accordingly. © 2025 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd

Introduction: Falls represent a prevalent cause of injury, disability, and mortality in the United States among older adults (ages 65+). Falls are not an inherent part of aging and adopting evidence-based fall prevention strategies can reduce fall risk. Caregivers are well-positioned to increase awareness and uptake of fall prevention strategies among older adults but may not be aware of all effective strategies. The objective of this study was to assess caregivers’ beliefs and awareness related to older adult falls and evidence-based prevention strategies. Methods: Questions about falls were included in the SummerStyles survey, part of the 2022 suite of Porter Novelli ConsumerStyles surveys. Questions covered demographic and health characteristics of respondents, caregiver status, and knowledge of evidence-based fall prevention strategies. We compared demographic, health, and fall prevention knowledge by caregiver status and age. Results: Caregivers were more likely to be women, 65+, and report low income and fair/poor health compared to non-caregivers. Most (88.8%) caregivers did not believe older adult falls are inevitable. Most caregivers (94.0%) reported knowing at least one evidence-based fall prevention strategy, but many also identified strategies with limited evidence, such as being more careful (75.1%), as effective. Few caregivers recognized interventions like Tai Chi (13.4%) and medication management (23.3%) as effective. However, caregivers often recognized the importance of making homes safer (84.8%) and strength or balance exercises (76.4%). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for expanded education aimed at caregivers to raise awareness about fall risks and all evidence-based fall prevention strategies. Practical applications: Public health efforts can benefit from effectively educating and empowering older adults and their caregivers to play a proactive role in fall prevention and aging without injury. Results can facilitate targeted education and support of caregivers and creation of caregiver-driven programs to address fall risk and prevention. © 2024 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd

Objectives: Reducing fall risk requires older adults (age 65+) to adopt effective prevention strategies. This study has three aims: 1) understand Stage of Change (SOC) for three fall prevention strategies; 2) determine strategies older adults' use; and 3) understand which characteristics relate to readiness to take action. Methods: A survey of 1063 older adults assessed fall risk, SOC, and use of fall prevention strategies. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results: The most common SOC for older adults by strategy was action for overall fall prevention (61%), contemplation for medication management (45%), and preparation and action for strength/balance (29% each). Believing falls are preventable was most strongly related to being in a Change stage (e.g., action, maintenance) for overall fall prevention (Risk Ratio: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7). Discussion: Health promotion can focus on increasing knowledge of evidence-based fall prevention strategies to encourage older adults to take action.

BACKGROUND: Peer violence during childhood is associated with negative outcomes. Data are limited on its associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the prevalence and factors associated with peer emotional and physical violence among children and adolescents aged 13-17years in Côte d'Ivoire. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Data from the 2018 Côte d'Ivoire Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) were used to examine peer emotional and physical violence victimization. VACS is a national cross-sectional household survey of females and males aged 13-24years. METHODS: Data included physical, emotional, and sexual violence and socioeconomic, demographic, and relationship factors. We computed the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and confidence interval (CI) for associated factors adjusted for food insecurity and rural or urban setting. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of females and 46.7 % of males experienced lifetime peer physical violence and 36.8 % of females and 40.2 % of males experienced peer emotional violence in the past 12 months. Witnessing violence in the home towards the mother (female AOR 1.2, CI 1.0-1.3); male AOR 1.4, CI 1.2-1.6) and witnessing violence in the home towards a sibling (female AOR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3; male AOR 1.3, CI 1.12-1.4) increased the odds of ever experiencing peer physical violence. In males, not living with their biological mother (AOR 1.2, CI 1.0, 1.4) or biological father (AOR 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3) was associated with ever experiencing peer physical violence. CONCLUSION: Interventions for children and adolescents living without parents and programming focused on education and skills-building may help to reduce peer violence against children in Côte d'Ivoire.