Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
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Query Trace: Stevens JA[original query] |
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Implementing a clinically based fall prevention program
Stevens JA , Smith ML , Parker EM , Jiang L , Floyd FD . Am J Lifestyle Med 2020 14 (1) 71-77 Introduction. Among people aged 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. The burden of falls is expected to increase as the US population ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) initiative to help primary care providers incorporate fall risk screening, assessment of patients' modifiable risk factors, and implementation of evidence-based treatment strategies. Methods. In 2010, CDC funded the New York State Department of Health to implement STEADI in primary care sites in selected communities. The Medical Director of United Health Services championed integrating fall prevention into clinical practice and oversaw staff training. Components of STEADI were integrated into the health system's electronic health record (EHR), and fall risk screening questions were added to the nursing staff's patient intake forms. Results. In the first 12 months, 14 practices saw 10 702 patients aged 65 and older. Of these, 8457 patients (79.0%) were screened for fall risk and 1534 (18.1%) screened positive. About 52% of positive patients completed the Timed Up and Go gait and balance assessment. Screening declined to 49% in the second 12 months, with 21% of the patients screening positive. Conclusions. Fall prevention can be successfully integrated into primary care when it is supported by a clinical champion, coupled with timely staff training/retraining, incorporated into the EHR, and adapted to fit into the practice workflow. |
The Influence of Older Adults' Beliefs and Attitudes on Adopting Fall Prevention Behaviors
Stevens JA , Sleet DA , Rubenstein LZ . Am J Lifestyle Med 2018 12 (4) 324-330 Among Americans aged 65 years and older, falls are the leading cause of injury death and disability, and finding effective methods to prevent older adult falls has become a public health priority. While research has identified effective interventions delivered in community and clinical settings, persuading older adults to adopt these interventions has been challenging. Older adults often do not acknowledge or recognize their fall risk. Many see falls as an inevitable consequence of aging. Health care providers can play an important role by identifying older adults who are likely to fall and providing clinical interventions to help reduce fall risks. Many older people respect the information and advice they receive from their providers. Health care practitioners can encourage patients to adopt effective fall prevention strategies by helping them understand and acknowledge their fall risk while emphasizing the positive benefits of fall prevention such as remaining independent. To help clinicians integrate fall prevention into their practice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) initiative. It provides health care providers in primary care settings with resources to help them screen older adult patients, assess their fall risk, and provide effective interventions. |
The potential to reduce falls and avert costs by clinically managing fall risk
Stevens JA , Lee R . Am J Prev Med 2018 55 (3) 290-297 INTRODUCTION: Falls often cause severe injuries and are one of the most costly health conditions among older adults. Yet, many falls are preventable. The number of preventable medically treated falls and associated costs averted were estimated by applying evidence-based fall interventions in clinical settings. METHODS: A review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted in 2017 using literature published between 1994 and 2017, the authors estimated the prevalence of seven fall risk factors and the effectiveness of seven evidence-based fall interventions. Then authors estimated the number of older adults (aged >/=65 years) who would be eligible to receive one of seven fall interventions (e.g., Tai Chi, Otago, medication management, vitamin D supplementation, expedited first eye cataract surgery, single-vision distance lenses for outdoor activities, and home modifications led by an occupational therapist). Using the reported effectiveness of each intervention, the number of medically treated falls that could be prevented and the associated direct medical costs averted were calculated. RESULTS: Depending on the size of the eligible population, implementing a single intervention could prevent between 9,563 and 45,164 medically treated falls and avert $94-$442 million in direct medical costs annually. The interventions with the potential to help the greatest number of older adults were those that provided home modification delivered by an occupational therapist (38.2 million), and recommended daily vitamin D supplements (16.7 million). CONCLUSIONS: This report is the first to estimate the number of medically treated falls that could be prevented and the direct medical costs that could be adverted. Preventing falls can benefit older adults substantially by improving their health, independence, and quality of life. |
The direct costs of fatal and non-fatal falls among older adults - United States
Burns ER , Stevens JA , Lee R . J Safety Res 2016 58 99-103 INTRODUCTION: This study sought to estimate the incidence, average cost, and total direct medical costs for fatal and non-fatal fall injuries in hospital, ED, and out-patient settings among U.S. adults aged 65 or older in 2012, by sex and age group and to report total direct medical costs for falls inflated to 2015 dollars. METHOD: Incidence data came from the 2012 National Vital Statistics System, 2012 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2012 Health Care Utilization Program National Emergency Department Sample, and 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Costs for fatal falls were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System; costs for non-fatal falls were based on claims from the 1998/1999 Medicare fee-for-service 5% Standard Analytical Files. Costs were inflated to 2015 estimates using the health care component of the Personal Consumption Expenditure index. RESULTS: In 2012, there were 24,190 fatal and 3.2 million medically treated non-fatal fall related injuries. Direct medical costs totaled $616.5 million for fatal and $30.3 billion for non-fatal injuries in 2012 and rose to $637.5 million and $31.3 billion, respectively, in 2015. Fall incidence as well as total cost increased with age and were higher among women. CONCLUSION: Medically treated falls among older adults, especially among older women, are associated with substantial economic costs. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Widely implementing evidence-based interventions for fall prevention is essential to decrease the incidence and healthcare costs associated with these injuries. |
Falls among persons aged ≥65 years with and without severe vision impairment - United States, 2014
Crews JE , Chou CF , Stevens JA , Saaddine JB . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016 65 (17) 433-7 In 2014, an estimated 2.8 million persons aged ≥65 years in the United States reported severe vision impairment defined as being blind or having severe difficulty seeing, even with eyeglasses. Good vision is important for maintaining balance as well as for identifying low-contrast hazards, estimating distances, and discerning spatial relationships. Conversely, having poor vision increases the risk for falls (1,2). Falls among older adults are common and can cause serious injuries, disabilities, and premature death (1,3). To date, no state-level investigations have examined the annual prevalence of falls among persons with and without severe vision impairment. CDC analyzed data from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to estimate the state-specific annual prevalence of falls among persons aged ≥65 years with and without self-reported severe vision impairment. Overall, 46.7% of persons with, and 27.7% of older adults without, self-reported severe vision impairment reported having fallen during the previous year. The state-specific annual prevalence of falls among persons aged ≥65 years with severe vision impairment ranged from 30.8% (Hawaii) to 59.1% (California). In contrast, the prevalence of falls among persons aged ≥65 years without severe vision impairment ranged from 20.4% (Hawaii) to 32.4% (Alaska). Developing fall-prevention interventions intended for persons with severe vision impairment will help states manage the impact of vision impairment and falls on health care resources, and can inform state-specific fall prevention initiatives. |
Unintentional injuries treated in hospital emergency departments among persons aged 65 years and older, United States, 2006-2011
DeGrauw X , Annest JL , Stevens JA , Xu L , Coronado V . J Safety Res 2016 56 105-9 INTRODUCTION: With the aging of the United States population, unintentional injuries among older adults, and especially falls-related injuries, are an increasing public health concern. METHODS: We analyzed emergency department (ED) data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, 2006-2011. We examined unintentional injury trends by 5-year age groups, sex, mechanism, body region, discharge disposition, and primary payer. For 2011, we estimated the medical costs of unintentional injury and the distribution of primary payers, plus rates by injury mechanisms and body regions injured by 5-year age groups. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2011, the age-adjusted annual rate of unintentional injury-related ED visits among persons aged ≥65 years increased significantly from 7987 to 8163, per 100,000 population. In 2011, 65% of injuries were due to falls. Rates for fall-related injury ED visits increased with age and the highest rate was among those aged ≥100. Each year, about 85% of unintentional injury-related ED visits in this population were expected to be paid by Medicare. In 2011, the estimated lifetime medical cost of unintentional injury-related ED visits among those aged ≥65 years was $40 billion. CONCLUSION: Increasing rates of ED-treated unintentional injuries, driven mainly by falls among older adults, will challenge our health care system and increase the economic burden on our society. Prevention efforts to reduce falls and resulting injuries among adults aged ≥65 years have the potential to increase well-being and reduce health care spending, especially the costs covered by Medicare. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: With the aging of the U.S. population, unintentional injuries, and especially fall-related injuries, will present a growing challenge to our health care system as well as an increasing economic burden. To counteract this trend, we must implement effective public health strategies, such as increasing knowledge about fall risk factors and broadly disseminating evidence-based injury and fall prevention programs in both clinical and community settings. |
Older adult falls seen by emergency medical service providers: a prevention opportunity
Faul M , Stevens JA , Sasser SM , Alee L , Deokar AJ , Kuhls DA , Burke PA . Am J Prev Med 2016 50 (6) 719-726 INTRODUCTION: Among people aged ≥65 years, falling is the leading cause of emergency department visits. Emergency medical services (EMS) are often called to help older adults who have fallen, with some requiring hospital transport. Chief aims were to determine where falls occurred and the circumstances under which patients were transported by EMS, and to identify future fall prevention opportunities. METHODS: In 2012, a total of 42 states contributed ambulatory data to the National EMS Information System, which were analyzed in 2014 and 2015. Using EMS records from 911 call events, logistic regression examined patient and environmental factors associated with older adult transport. RESULTS: Among people aged ≥65 years, falls accounted for 17% of all EMS calls. More than one in five (21%) of these emergency 911 calls did not result in a transport. Most falls occurred at home (60.2%) and residential institutions such as nursing homes (21.7%). Logistic regression showed AORs for transport were greatest among people aged ≥85 years (AOR=1.14, 95% CI=1.13, 1.16) and women (AOR=1.30, 95% CI=1.29, 1.32); for falls at residential institutions or nursing homes (AOR=3.52, 95% CI=3.46, 3.58) and in rural environments (AOR=1.15, 95% CI=1.13, 1.17); and where the EMS impression was a stroke (AOR=2.96, 95% CI=2.11, 4.10), followed by hypothermia (AOR=2.36, 95% CI=1.33, 4.43). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique insight into fall circumstances and EMS transport activity. EMS personnel are in a prime position to provide interventions that can prevent future falls, or referrals to community-based fall prevention programs and services. |
Healthcare providers' perceptions and self-reported fall prevention practices: findings from a large New York health system
Smith ML , Stevens JA , Ehrenreich H , Wilson AD , Schuster RJ , Cherry CO , Ory MG . Front Public Health 2015 3 17 Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and emergency department visits, and the incidence of falls in the United States is rising as the number of older Americans increases. Research has shown that falls can be reduced by modifying fall-risk factors using multifactorial interventions implemented in clinical settings. However, the literature indicates that many providers feel that they do not know how to conduct fall-risk assessments or do not have adequate knowledge about fall prevention. To help healthcare providers incorporate older adult fall prevention (i.e., falls risk assessment and treatment) into their clinical practice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Injury Center has developed the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) tool kit. This study was conducted to identify the practice characteristics and providers' beliefs, knowledge, and fall-related activities before they received training on how to use the STEADI tool kit. Data were collected as part of a larger State Fall Prevention Project funded by CDC's Injury Center. Completed questionnaires were returned by 38 medical providers from 11 healthcare practices within a large New York health system. Healthcare providers ranked falls as the lowest priority of five conditions, after diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and musculoskeletal conditions. Less than 40% of the providers asked most or all of their older patients if they had fallen during the past 12 months. Less than a quarter referred their older patients to physical therapists for balance or gait training, and <20% referred older patients to community-based fall prevention programs. Less than 16% reported they conducted standardized functional assessments with their older patients at least once a year. These results suggest that implementing the STEADI tool kit in clinical settings could address knowledge gaps and provide the necessary tools to help providers incorporate fall-risk assessment and treatment into clinical practice. |
Assessment and management of fall risk in primary care settings
Phelan EA , Mahoney JE , Voit JC , Stevens JA . Med Clin North Am 2015 99 (2) 281-293 Falls among older adults are neither purely accidental nor inevitable; research has shown that many falls are preventable. Primary care providers play a key role in preventing falls. However, fall risk assessment and management is performed infrequently in primary care settings. This article provides an overview of a clinically relevant, evidence-based approach to fall risk screening and management. It describes resources, including the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) tool kit that can help providers integrate fall prevention into their practice. |
A cost-benefit analysis of three older adult fall prevention interventions
Carande-Kulis V , Stevens JA , Florence CS , Beattie BL , Arias I . J Safety Res 2015 52 65-70. INTRODUCTION: One out of three persons aged 65 and older falls annually and 20% to 30% of falls result in injury. The purpose of this cost-benefit analysis was to identify community-based fall interventions that were feasible, effective, and provided a positive return on investment (ROI). METHODS: A third-party payer perspective was used to determine the costs and benefits of three effective fall interventions. Intervention effectiveness was based on randomized controlled trial results. National data were used to estimate the average annual benefits from averting the direct medical costs of a fall. The net benefit and ROI were estimated for each of the interventions. RESULTS: For the Otago Exercise Program delivered to persons aged 65 and older, the net benefit was $121.85 per participant and the ROI was 36% for each dollar invested. For Otago delivered to persons aged 80 and older, the net benefit was $429.18 and the ROI was 127%. Tai chi: Moving for Better Balance had a net benefit of $529.86 and an ROI of 509% and Stepping On had a net benefit of $134.37 and an ROI of 64%. CONCLUSIONS: All three fall interventions provided positive net benefits. The ROIs showed that the benefits not only covered the implementation costs but also exceeded the expected direct program delivery costs. These results can help health care funders and other community organizations select appropriate and effective fall interventions that also can provide positive returns on investment. |
Fall prevention in community settings: results from implementing tai chi: moving for better balance in three States
Ory MG , Smith ML , Parker EM , Jiang L , Chen S , Wilson AD , Stevens JA , Ehrenreich H , Lee R . Front Public Health 2014 2 258 Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance (TCMBB) is an evidence-based fall prevention exercise program being disseminated in selected communities through state injury prevention programs. This study: (1) describes the personal characteristics of TCMBB participants; (2) quantifies participants' functional and self-reported health status at enrollment; and (3) measures changes in participants' functional and self-reported health status post-intervention. There were 421 participants enrolled in 36 TCMBB programs delivered in Colorado, New York, and Oregon. Of the 209 participants who completed both baseline enrollment and post-intervention surveys, the average age of participants was 75.3 (SD ± 8.2) years. Most participants were female (81.3%), non-Hispanic (96.1%), White (94.1%), and described themselves as in excellent or very good health (52.2%). Paired t-test and general estimating equation models assessed changes over the 3-month program period. Pre- and post-assessment self-reported surveys and objective functional data [Timed Up and Go (TUG) test] were collected. On average, TUG test scores decreased (p < 0.001) for all participants; however, the decrease was most noticeable among high-risk participants (mean decreased from 18.5 to 15.7 s). The adjusted odds ratio of reporting feeling confident that a participant could keep themselves from falling was five times greater after completing the program. TCMBB, which addresses gait and balance problems, can be an effective way to reduce falls among the older adult population. By helping older adults maintain their functional abilities, TCMBB can help community-dwelling older adults continue to live independently. |
Fall prevention in community settings: results from implementing stepping on in three States
Ory MG , Smith ML , Jiang L , Lee R , Chen S , Wilson AD , Stevens JA , Parker EM . Front Public Health 2014 2 232 Stepping On is a community-based intervention that has been shown in a randomized controlled trial to reduce fall risk. The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging adapted Stepping On for use in the United States and developed a training infrastructure to enable dissemination. The purpose of this study is to: (1) describe the personal characteristics of Stepping On participants; (2) quantify participants' functional and self-reported health status at enrollment, and (3) measure changes in participants' functional and self-reported health status after completing the program. Both survey and observed functional status [timed up and go (TUG) test] data were collected between September 2011 and December 2013 for 366 participants enrolled in 32 Stepping On programs delivered in Colorado, New York, and Oregon. Paired t-tests and general estimating equations models adjusted for socio-demographic factors were performed to assess changes over the program period. Among the 266 participants with pre-post survey data, the average participant age was 78.7 (SD ± 8.0) years. Most participants were female (83.4%), white (96.9%), and in good health (49.4%). The TUG test scores decreased significantly (p < 0.001) for all 254 participants with pre-post data. The change was most noticeable among high risk participants where TUG time decreased from 17.6 to 14.4 s. The adjusted odds ratio of feeling confident about keeping from falling was more than three times greater after completing Stepping On. Further, the adjusted odds ratios of reporting "no difficulty" for getting out of a straight back chair increased by 89%. Intended for older adults who have fallen in the past or are afraid of falling, Stepping On has the potential to reduce the frequency and burden of older adult falls. |
Circumstances and outcomes of falls among high risk community-dwelling older adults
Stevens JA , Mahoney JE , Ehrenreich H . Inj Epidemiol 2014 1 (5) BACKGROUND: For older adults, falls threaten their health, independence, and quality of life. Knowing the circumstances surrounding falls is essential for understanding how behavioral and environmental factors interact in fall events. It is also important for developing and implementing interventions that are effective and acceptable to older adults. This study investigated the circumstances and injury outcomes of falls among community-dwelling older adults at high risk of falling. METHODS: In this secondary analysis, we examined the circumstances and outcomes of falls experienced by 328 participants in the Dane County (Wisconsin) Safety Assessment for Elders (SAFE) Research Study. SAFE was a randomized controlled trial of a community-based multifactorial falls intervention for older adults at high risk for falls, conducted from October 2002 to December 2007. Participants were community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years who reported at least one fall during the year after study enrollment. Falls were collected prospectively using monthly calendars. Everyone who reported a fall was contacted by telephone to determine the circumstances surrounding the event. Injury outcomes were defined as none, mild (injury reported but no treatment sought), moderate (treatment for any injury except head injury or fracture), and severe (treatment for head injury or fracture). RESULTS: Data were available for 1,172 falls. A generalized linear mixed model analysis showed that being age ≥85 (OR = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-3.9), female (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3-3.4), falling backward and landing flat (OR = 5.6, 95% CI = 2.9-10.5), sideways (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 2.6-8.0) and forward (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.0-5.7) were significantly associated with the likelihood of injury. Of 783 falls inside the home, falls in the bathroom were more than twice as likely to result in an injury compared to falls in the living room (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2-4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Most falls among these high risk older adults occurred inside the home. The likelihood of injury in the bathroom supports the need for safety modifications such as grab bars, and may indicate a need for assistance with bathing. These findings will help clinicians tailor fall prevention for their patients and have practical implications for retirement and assisted living communities and community-based fall prevention programs. |
Comment on Cassell and Clapperton: A decreasing trend in fall-related hip fracture incidence in Victoria, Australia
Stevens JA , Rudd RA . Osteoporos Int 2014 25 (6) 1817 We read with interest the recent article by Cassell and Clapperton describing the decreasing trend in fall-related hip fracture rates among people aged 65 and older in Victoria, Australia from 1998/99 to 2008/09 [1]. Over this time period, hip fracture rates decreased by 25 % among men and 23 % among women. Similar trends have been seen in other countries. We previously reported trends in hip fracture hospitalization rates among people aged 65 and older in the USA from 1990 to 2010 [2, 3]. Looking at the time period from 1998 to 2008, US rates declined by 22 % for men and 28 % for women—very similar to Cassell and Clapperton's results. | | Although the overall findings of this Australian study and our US studies are comparable, there are also some important differences. Cassell and Clapperton examined trends in hip fracture rates for men and women aged 65 and older separately and for both sexes combined by 5-year age groups, while we looked at trends in rates by 10-year age groups for men and women aged 65 and older separately. We found that most rates for men and women decreased significantly from 1996 to 2010, with the sharpest decline occurring among women aged 85 and older (annual percent change=−3.3; 95 % confidence interval=−4.2 to −2.3). However, rates did not decrease significantly among men aged 65 to 74. Over the next two to three decades, these trends are likely to result in fewer hip fractures than Cassell and Clapperton's study might suggest. Underlying causes for these trends are unclear, but it does not appear to be a result of osteoporosis treatment with bisphosphonates, which is not widely used and often discontinued due to unpleasant side effects [4, 5]. Other possible explanations include a healthy cohort effect, improved intake of calcium and vitamin D, and increased body weight. More research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these trends. |
Falls and fall injuries among adults with arthritis - United States, 2012
Barbour KE , Stevens JA , Helmick CG , Luo YH , Murphy LB , Hootman JM , Theis K , Anderson LA , Baker NA , Sugerman DE . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2014 63 (17) 379-83 Falls are the leading cause of injury-related morbidity and mortality among older adults, with more than one in three older adults falling each year, resulting in direct medical costs of nearly $30 billion. Some of the major consequences of falls among older adults are hip fractures, brain injuries, decline in functional abilities, and reductions in social and physical activities. Although the burden of falls among older adults is well-documented, research suggests that falls and fall injuries are also common among middle-aged adults. One risk factor for falling is poor neuromuscular function (i.e., gait speed and balance), which is common among persons with arthritis. In the United States, the prevalence of arthritis is highest among middle-aged adults (aged 45-64 years) (30.2%) and older adults (aged ≥65 years) (49.7%), and these populations account for 52% of U.S. adults. Moreover, arthritis is the most common cause of disability. To examine the prevalence of falls among middle-aged and older adults with arthritis in different states/territories, CDC analyzed data from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to assess the state-specific prevalence of having fallen and having experienced a fall injury in the past 12 months among adults aged ≥45 years with and without doctor-diagnosed arthritis. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC), the prevalence of any fall (one or more), two or more falls, and fall injuries in the past 12 months was significantly higher among adults with arthritis compared with those without arthritis. The prevalence of falls and fall injuries is high among adults with arthritis but can be addressed through greater dissemination of arthritis management and fall prevention programs in clinical and community practice. |
Circumstances and contributing causes of fall deaths among persons aged 65 and older: United States, 2010
Stevens JA , Rudd RA . J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 62 (3) 470-5 OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the increasing fall death rate among people aged 65 and older is due in part to temporal changes in recording the underlying cause of death. DESIGN: Analyses of multiple cause of death data using the online Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging ON-line Data for Epidemiologic Research system, which uses the National Center for Health Statistics' Multiple Cause of Death data set. SETTING: United States, 1999 to 2010. PARTICIPANTS: People aged 65 and older with a fall listed on their death record as the underlying or a contributing cause of death. MEASUREMENTS: Circumstances and contributing causes off all deaths-records listing International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes W00 to W19 as the underlying cause of death-and underlying causes for records with falls as a contributing cause were examined. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess trends in the proportion of fall and fall-associated deaths to total deaths for 1999 to 2010. RESULTS: In 2010, there were 21,649 fall deaths and 5,402 fall-associated deaths among people aged 65 and older; 48.7% of fall deaths involved a head injury. Approximately half the fall death records included diseases of the circulatory system as contributing causes. From 1999 to 2010, there was a trend toward more-specific reporting of falls circumstances, although total deaths remained unchanged. The proportion of fall deaths to total deaths increased 114.3%, and that of fall-associated deaths to total deaths increased 43.1%. CONCLUSION: The reasons behind the increasing older adult fall death rate deserve further investigation. Possible contributing factors include changing trends in underlying chronic diseases and better reporting of falls as the underlying cause of death. |
Bathroom injuries in children less than 15 years old
Head EN , Stevens JA , Haileyesus T . Inj Prev 2013 19 (5) 316-9 OBJECTIVE: To quantify and describe non-fatal, unintentional bathroom injuries among children less than 15 years of age treated in US hospital emergency departments (EDs). METHODS: This study used 2008 data from a nationally representative sample of EDs, available from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program. We examined unintentional non-fatal bathroom injuries in any setting (eg, home, school or public place) among children less than 15 years of age and identified types of injuries, major locations within the bathroom and precipitating events. RESULTS: Based on 1099 cases, an estimated 51 132 non-fatal bathroom injuries in children less than 15 years of age were treated in US EDs in 2008. Most injuries (73.8%) were caused by falls. The highest rate was for injuries that occurred in or around the shower or bathtub (65.9 per 100 000). Children less than 15 years of age sustained the greatest number of injuries and had the highest injury rate (151 per 100 000 (95% CI 108.7 to 193.3)), while children 10-14 years of age had the lowest rate (28.7 (95% CI 20.6 to 36.8)). The rates differed significantly by age group (p<0.001). A majority of the patients (96.9%) were treated in the ED and released. CONCLUSIONS: Most bathroom injuries in children occurred while they were showering or bathing and were caused by falling or hitting an object. Such injuries might be reduced by improving caregiver supervision for younger children. For older children, a combination of bathroom safety education and environmental modifications, such as installing grab bars inside and outside the shower or tub, may reduce bathroom injuries. |
The impact of decreasing U.S. hip fracture rates on future hip fracture estimates
Stevens JA , Rudd RA . Osteoporos Int 2013 24 (10) 2725-8 We examined age- and sex-specific hip fracture hospitalization rates among people aged 65 and older using 1990-2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey data. Trends calculated using Joinpoint regression analysis suggest that future increases in hip fractures due to the aging population will be largely offset by decreasing hip fracture rates among women. However, this trend will be counterbalanced by rising numbers of hip fractures among men. INTRODUCTION: From 1990 to 2006, age-adjusted U.S. hip fracture rates among people aged 65 years and older declined significantly. We wanted to determine whether decreasing age group-specific hip fracture rates might offset increases in hip fractures among the aging population over the next two decades. METHODS: This study used data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey, a national probability survey of inpatient discharges from nonfederal U.S. hospitals, to analyze hip fracture hospitalizations, defined as cases with first diagnosis coded ICD-9 CM 820. We analyzed trends in rates by sex and 10-year age groups using Joinpoint analysis software and used the results and projected population estimates to obtain the expected number of hip fractures in 2020 and 2050. RESULTS: Based on current age- and sex-specific trends in hip fracture hospitalization rates, the number of hip fractures is projected to rise 11.9 %-from 258,000 in 2010 to 289,000 (Projection Interval [PI] = 193,000-419,000) in 2030. The number of hip fractures among men is expected to increase 51.8 % (PI = 15.9-119.4 %) while the number among women is expected to decrease 3.5 % (PI = -44.3-37.3 %). These trends will affect the future distribution of hip fractures among the older population. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of older people in the U.S.A. will increase appreciably over the next 20 years, the expected increase in the total number of hip fractures will be largely offset by decreasing hip fracture rates among women. However, this trend will be counterbalanced by rising numbers of hip fractures among men. |
Gender differences in seeking care for falls in the aged Medicare population
Stevens JA , Ballesteros MF , Mack KA , Rudd RA , Decaro E , Adler G . Am J Prev Med 2012 43 (1) 59-62 BACKGROUND: One third of adults aged ≥65 years fall annually, and women are more likely than men to be treated for fall injuries in hospitals and emergency departments. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine how men and women differed in seeking medical care for falls and in the information about falls they received from healthcare providers. METHODS: This study, undertaken in 2010, analyzed population-based data from the 2005 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MBCS), the most recent data available in 2010 from this survey. A sample of 12,052 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years was used to examine male-female differences among 2794 who reported falling in the previous year, sought medical care for falls and/or discussed fall prevention with a healthcare provider. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors associated with falling for men and women. P-values ≤0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Nationally, an estimated seven million Medicare beneficiaries (22%) fell in the previous year. Among those who fell, significantly more women than men talked with a healthcare provider about falls and also discussed fall prevention (31.2% [95% CI=28.8%, 33.6%] vs 24.3% [95% CI=21.6%, 27.0%]). For both genders, falls were most strongly associated with two or more limitations in activities of daily living and often feeling sad or depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Women were significantly more likely than men to report falls, seek medical care, and/or discuss falls and fall prevention with a healthcare provider. Providers should consider asking all older patients about previous falls, especially older male patients who are least likely to seek medical attention or discuss falls with their doctors. |
Increase in fall-related hospitalizations in the United States, 2001-2008
Hartholt KA , Stevens JA , Polinder S , Van Der Cammen TJM , Patka P . J Trauma 2011 71 (1) 255-258 BACKGROUND: The objective was to determine secular trends in unintentional fall-related hospitalizations in people aged 65 years and older in the United States. MATERIALS: Data were obtained from a nationally representative sample of emergency department visits from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2008, available through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program. These data were weighted to estimate the number, incidence rates, and the annual percent change of fall-related hospitalizations. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2008, the estimated number of fall-related hospitalizations in older adults increased 50%, from 373,128 to 559,355 cases. During the same time period, the age-adjusted incidence rate, expressed per 100,000 population, increased from 1,046 to 1,368. Rates were higher in women compared with men throughout the study period. The age-adjusted incidence rate showed an average annual increase of 3.3% (95% CI, 1.66-4.95). DISCUSSION: Both the number and rate of fall-related hospitalizations in the United States increased significantly over the 8-year study period. Unless preventive action is taken, rising hospitalization rates in combination with the aging US population over the next decades will exacerbate the already stressed healthcare system and may result in poorer health outcomes for older adults in the future. Further research is needed to determine the underlying causes for this rising trend. Copyright 2011 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. |
The public health approach to older adult fall prevention: comments from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Noonan RK , Stevens JA , Baldwin G . Open Longev Sci 2011 5 26-31 Unintentional falls among persons aged 65 years and older are an important public health issue, associated with significant mortality and morbidity. About one third of older adults fall annually and, although many fall outcomes are minor, between 10% and 20% cause serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury, contusions, and fractures. Therefore the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to prevent injuries and fatalities due to older adult falls. The public health approach to older adult falls focuses on prevention and is based on scientific rigor. Its steps include defining the problem, identifying causes, developing and testing interventions, and then implementing effective approaches on a large scale. We highlight current CDC activities that map onto each step of the public health model and close by providing future directions for older adult fall prevention, including improved surveillance, support for program implementation, and enhanced partnership building. Noonan et al. |
An older adult falls research agenda from a public health perspective
Stevens JA , Baldwin GT , Ballesteros MF , Noonan RK , Sleet DA . Clin Geriatr Med 2010 26 (4) 767-79 This article reviews fall prevention research using the Centers for Disease Control public health model and suggests several critical research questions at each step. Research topics include surveillance and data systems, fall risk factors, development, evaluation and implementation of fall interventions, translation of interventions into programs, and promotion, dissemination, and widespread adoption of fall prevention programs. These broad topics provide a framework for research that can guide future advances in older adult fall prevention. |
Dogs and cats as environmental fall hazards
Stevens JA , Teh SL , Haileyesus T . J Safety Res 2010 41 (1) 69-73 PROBLEM: Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in the United States. This study assessed the prevalence of fall injuries associated with cats and dogs in the United States and describes the types of injuries sustained, the location, activity, and circumstances under which they occurred. METHODS: Data were from a nationally representative sample of emergency department visits from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2006, available through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP). RESULTS: Based on 7,456 cases, an estimated 86,629 fall injuries each year were associated with cats and dogs, for an injury rate of 29.7. There were 7.5 times as many injuries involving dogs as cats and females were 2.1 times more likely to be injured than males. Injury rates were highest among people aged ≥75, but pets were a fall hazard for all ages. Fractures and contusions or abrasions were the most common injuries; the highest rates were for injuries to the extremities. About 66.4% of falls associated with cats and 31.3 % of falls associated with dogs were caused by falling or tripping over the pet. An additional 21.2% of falls related to dogs were caused by being pushed or pulled. SUMMARY: Although pets were associated with fall injuries, this risk can be reduced by increasing public awareness about situations that can lead to falls, such as dog-walking and chasing pets, and by calling attention to the importance of obedience training for dogs to minimize hazardous behaviors such as pulling and pushing. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Fall injuries represent a burden to individuals, our society and our health care system. Increasing public awareness and implementing basic prevention strategies can help people of all ages enjoy their pets, reduce their chances of experiencing pet-related falls, and lessen the impact of fall injuries on our health care system. |
Declining hip fracture rates in the United States
Stevens JA , Rudd RA . Age Ageing 2010 39 (4) 500-3 Unintentional falls are a common occurrence among older adults, affecting ~30% of persons aged 65 years and older annually [1]. One of the most serious fall outcomes is hip fracture, an injury that often results in long-term functional impairment, nursing home admission and increased mortality [2]. More than 90% of hip fractures are caused by falls [3], usually by falling onto the hip [4]. In 2006 there were ~293,000 hospital admissions for hip fracture [5]. Osteoporosis, a metabolic disease characterised by low bone mineral density (BMD) and bone structure deterioration, greatly increases the chances that a person who falls will sustain a hip fracture [6]. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that more than 10 million people over age 50 in the United States have osteoporosis and another 34 million have low BMD and are at risk for the disease [7]. | Extending an earlier and less comprehensive analysis [8], this study used hospital discharge data to analyse the national trends in hip fracture rates from 1990 to 2006 for people aged 65 years and older by both sex and 10-year age groups. |
Older adult fall prevention: perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors
Stevens JA , Noonan RK , Rubenstein LZ . Am J Lifestyle Med 2010 4 (1) 16-20 Falls in adults aged 65 years and older are an important health issue associated with excess mortality, functional limitations, loss of independence, and reduced quality of life. Physicians can reduce the likelihood of falls in their older patients by incorporating prevention strategies into their clinical practice. Research has identified effective interventions, notably clinical assessment and risk factor reduction and exercise programs with balance training, that require older adults to adopt new behaviors. However, some older adults believe falls are an inevitable consequence of aging, while others do not see themselves as personally vulnerable. Factors that facilitate adopting fall interventions include social support, low intensity exercise, and the perception that the programs are relevant. Barriers include fatalism, denial of risk, poor self-efficacy, and no previous history of exercise. To encourage their patients’ participation, physicians need to present fall interventions as lifestyle enhancing and as a way to remain independent. Messages should focus on positive health and social benefits such as improving balance and maintaining independence, rather than emphasizing negative information about falls and fall injuries. Along with the support of family and friends, a personal invitation from a health care provider will encourage older adults to take part in fall prevention programs. |
Unintentional fall injuries associated with walkers and canes in older adults treated in U.S. emergency departments
Stevens JA , Thomas K , Teh L , Greenspan AI . J Am Geriatr Soc 2009 57 (8) 1464-9 OBJECTIVES: To characterize nonfatal, unintentional, fall-related injuries associated with walkers and canes in older adults. DESIGN: Surveillance data of injuries treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs), January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2006. SETTING: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program, which collects data from a nationally representative stratified probability sample of 66 U.S. hospital EDs. PARTICIPANTS: People aged 65 and older treated in EDs for 3,932 nonfatal unintentional fall injuries and whose records indicated that a cane or a walker was involved in the fall. MEASUREMENTS: Sex, age, whether the fall involved a cane or walker, primary diagnosis, part of the body injured, disposition, and location and circumstances of the fall. RESULTS: An estimated 47,312 older adult fall injuries associated with walking aids were treated annually in U.S. EDs: 87.3% with walkers, 12.3% with canes, and 0.4% with both. Walkers were associated with seven times as many injuries as canes. Women's injury rates exceeded those for men (rate ratios=2.6 for walkers, 1.4 for canes.) The most prevalent injuries were fractures and contusions or abrasions. Approximately one-third of subjects were hospitalized for their injuries. CONCLUSION: Injuries and hospital admissions for falls associated with walking aids were frequent in this highly vulnerable population. The results suggest that more research is needed to improve the design of walking aids. More information also is needed about the circumstances preceding falls, both to better understand the contributing fall risk factors and to develop specific and effective fall prevention strategies. |
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