Falls and fall-related injuries for older adults impose an enormous burden on individuals, society, and to the nation's health care system. As the population of the United States ages, the negative impact of falls continues to increase. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control:

• More than one third of adults age 65 years and older fall each year.
• Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths and the most common cause of injuries and hospital admissions for trauma.
• Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes. Of those who fall, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death.
• By 2020, the estimated annual cost for fall-related injuries for people age 65 and older is expected to reach $43.8 billion.
• In 2001 in Nebraska alone, over 13,000 hospital discharges can be attributed to these injuries.
• In the greater Metropolitan Omaha area an estimated 90,000 older adults are at risk for these debilitating injuries that account for up to 40% of all nursing home admissions.

This will only escalate as the number of adults age 65 and older in the Omaha area more than doubles over the next 25 years. Yet many falls, and fall-related injuries, can be prevented with existing knowledge, technology and research proven interventions.

In response, The National Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter is sponsoring F1RST: Fall Intervention; Reaching Seniors Together.

On this site you will find the tools and resources that you need to help prevent falls and fall related injuries for yourself or someone you know. To get started take our falls IQ test