Falls Prevention for Iowa
Falls are a significant concern for Iowans, especially with Iowa’s aging population. For all age groups, falls are the second leading cause of injury deaths in Iowa, and the leading cause of injury hospitalizations and emergency visits in Iowa.
For those over the age of 65, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths with the highest rate in those over the age of 84. The causes of falling vary with contributing factors including: reduced strength in lower extremities, use of four or more medications, poor vision, chronic health problems and unsafe home conditions.
Upcoming Training & Educational Opportunities
Registration Open! September 20-24 Falls Prevention Symposium
This year, the Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition is holding their 7th Annual Symposium via Zoom. This multidisciplinary conference will take place Sept. 20 through 24, during Fall Prevention Awareness week. Iowans interested in falls prevention, such as family caregivers, healthcare practitioners, persons who work with older adults, students, and communication members of all ages should attend this FREE event! Nursing CEUs are available at no cost; on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; partial credit is available (see brochure for details). All other attendees will receive a participation certificate.
Family Caregivers register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-annual-iowa-falls-prevention-coalition-symposium-2021-registration-159717277677. Questions? Contact Kathleen Lee at kathleen-lee@uiowa.edu or by calling 319-384-5681.
Professionals register at https://uiowa.cloud-cme.com/Form/aspx?FormID=3295 Questions? Contact Molly James, molly-james@uiowa.edu, or 319-335-7075
Symposium brochure and agenda 
CDC Report: Fall-related TBI deaths increase in the United States
A new study in CDC's Mobidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) "Deaths from fall-related traumatic brain injury - United States, 2088-2017" found that in most states the rate of fall-related TBI deaths has increased significantly and the country as a whole saw a 17% increase in fall-related TBI deaths.
Impact of Falls in Iowa
The following policy brief highlights the impact of falls in Iowa and strategies to reduce fall risk in our state. The County Death and Hospitalizations data report provides county level data and associated cost of falls per hospitalization.
Since 2014, nearly 3,400 older adults and adults with disabilities have participated in Falls Prevention programs. This translates to over $1.6 Million saved through falls prevention programs for older Iowans! To learn more about the impact evidence-based falls prevention programs have made in Iowa, please download the following fact sheet
15 Minute Sample Workout for Older Adults
Go 4 Life from the National Institute on Aging at NIH has posted a sample 15 minute workout featuring a warm up, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises, and a cool down. Visit https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/sample_workout/15-minute-sample-workout-older-adults/
Equipment needed: A stable chair, a towel, light hand weights and a tennis ball.
Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition
The Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition is a group comprised of representatives from governmental agencies, private organizations, and interested individuals. They meet the second Thursday morning every odd month from 8:30am - 10:30am. Meetings are currently being held via zoom. For more information, or to be added to the meeting notification list, please contact Trina Raske-Suchan at tsuchan@chpcommunity.org
Join Zoom using this link:
https://uiowa.zoom.us/meeting/tJMpfumtqDMjGdDOsh6TDBMdyuI7dEtQp8FI/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCvqjIqH9KduRqDRowEBor4c-_wplxEjad5swztVRR3QC7yL_drZbZaBOnA
OR by calling 312-626-6799. Meeting ID 974 9056 8934
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
- July 8, 2021
- September 9, 2021
- November 11, 2021
- January 13, 2022
- March 10, 2022
- May 12, 2022
- July 14, 2022
Interested in being a member of the Coalition?
Individuals and organizations interested in being an active member of the Iowa Falls Prevention Coalition are invited to submit to submit a letter of commitment (see pdf below) to Marilyn Jones by emailing marilyn.jones@idph.iowa.gov or mailing the form to Iowa Dept. of Public Health, attn: Marilyn Jones, 321 E 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.
Coalition Partner Commitment Letter