The Importance Of Falls In Public Health

Falls are one of the most common geriatric syndromes threatening the independence of older persons. Fall and fall related injuries are major public health challenges that call for global attention with the rapidly increase in number of the elderly (1). In Egypt, the number of elderly persons reached 5.8 million reached 5.8 million in 2011 and was estimated 7.3% of total population, and it is expected to increase to 11.6% in 2030(2).

Fall is a serious public health problem, with substantial impact on health and healthcare costs (1). . Depending on the injury, fall can lead to hospital admission, disability and functional limitations that significantly decrease the quality of life for older people (3). In 2010 falls were responsible for approximately 80 % of disability stemming from unintentional injuries excluding traffic accidents in adults 50 years and over (4).
These include: advanced age, female gender, muscle weakness, unsteady gait and balance, impaired cognition and depressive symptoms. Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis and diabetes, Nutritional deficiency, poor sleep patterns and visual impairment are also associated with increased risk of falling. Social and economic factors, low income, low education and inadequate housing are risk factors for falls. The Environmental risks can be encountered inside or outside the home, eg, obstacles on the floor or poor light