Falls prevention for older persons (2006)

Older people frequently fall. This is a serious public health problem, with a substantial impact on health and healthcare costs. The situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) including the size of the problem, and the procedures for prevention and control of falls and subsequent morbidity and mortality in old age is still in need to be addressed due to the shortcomings in studies, information, and health system procedures. The available data from some countries of the EMR may be used as an indicator for a potential high health impact of the problem within this region.