Prevention of Falls and Capturing Fractures in the Community

Abstract

Falls among elderly are a major public health threat worldwide because of the frequency and adverse consequences in terms of mortality, morbidity and quality of life. This public health burden together with our ageing population poses a huge impact on the health-care system including high costs and manpower insufficiency. It is well-known that majority of fragility fractures such as distal radius and hip fractures most often result from falls. Importantly, a recent fracture is also the most predictive risk factor for a secondary fracture. This had led to increased hospital admissions and additional costs to the health-care system. Lack of physiotherapy training for postural balance, occupational therapy interventions, low drug prescription rates and poor patient drug compliance are key pitfalls leading to falls and subsequent fractures. Fall prevention in the primary care service and prevention of recurrent falls by Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) in the community and hospitals are therefore crucial to raise public awareness and to decrease further morbidity and mortality. This chapter will describe the epidemiology of falls and subsequent fractures in the elderlies worldwide as well as discuss the importance of fall prevention and promotion of FLS in Hong Kong.