Falls are one of the biggest health risks for older adults, and until 2025, Colorado was one of the only states in the nation without an official falls coalition. Now, a new group is stepping up to change that.
Led by Dr. Thomas Johnson from the University of Colorado Anschutz Division of Geriatric Medicine, the newly-formed Colorado Falls Prevention Coalition is bringing together experts and community members to help address falls and provide resources.
Every year, about 1-in-4 Americans aged 65 and older report falling. Of those, around 9 million suffer injuries serious enough to need medical care or limit their daily activities. The Colorado Falls Prevention Coalition aims to increase awareness of the prevalence of falls, gather data, and integrate prevention initiatives into existing health and aging programs.
Part of a national effort through the National Council on Aging, the coalition is focused on keeping older Coloradans safe, active, and independent. With falls costing billions each year in medical care, this work is not just important, it’s essential.