• According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), physical activity programs that improve balance and strength among older adults are effective at decreasing the risk of falls, the incidence of falls, and the fear of falling among older adults.
• Research-clinicians have developed fall prevention models that reduce falls, increase physical activity and mobility control, decrease fear of falling, and are cost-effective: 1) Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance; 2) A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls; and 3) Otago Exercise Program.
• The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Adult Falls Prevention Program was awarded a grant to expand four evidence-based falls prevention programs to 15 priority counties around the state.
• To achieve the FY17 target, ongoing capacity-building support to clinicians, community health workers, community health representatives, and older adults in fall prevention will be integrated in health systems and communities to create sustainable changes for injury prevention.

• NM Adult Falls Prevention Coalition
• Aging and Long-Term Services Department Aging and Disability Resource Center
• NM Senior Olympics
• Indian Health Service
• NM State University Kinesiology and Dance
• Indian Area Agencies on Aging
• Metro and Non-Metro Area Agencies on Aging
• AARP NM State Office
• NM Healthy Aging Collaborative
• NM Injury Prevention Coalition
• Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center

• Physical activity programs that improve balance and strength among older adults are effective at decreasing the risk of falls, the incidence of falls, and the fear of falling among older adults.
• Offering multiple trainings in large catchment area/events are effective as well as incorporating a train-the-trainer program.

• Coordinate master trainer or train-the-trainer events to build capacity within NM for providing instructor/coach trainings.
• Coordinate instructor/coach trainings to build a community of instructors of evidence-based programs who deliver the programs to community-dwelling older adults.
• Oversee the delivery of evidence-based programs to community-dwelling older adults, with at least a 75% program completion rate among participants.
• Conduct fidelity and performance monitoring and provide iterative quality improvement to program delivery.

The Epidemiology and Response Division Injury and Behavioral Epidemiology Bureau Adult Falls Prevention Program will work with contractors and other community partners to increase the number of adults 65 and older who have completed an evidence-based fall prevention as follows: 

• Q1: 104 out of and anticipated 175 older adults were trained. Unmet.
• Q2: 80 out of an anticipated 175  older adults were trained. Unmet
• Q3: 80 out of an anticipated 175 older adults were trained. Unmet.
• Q4: 187 out of and anticipated 175 older adults were trained in an evidence-based falls prevention program. Exceeded.

The Adult Falls Prevention Program increased the number of Master Trainers and instructors for evidence-based fall prevention programs in New Mexico during FY17, allowing older adults more access to these programs. There are currently over 74 evidence-based fall prevention instructors in 16 New Mexico counties and 14 Native American Pueblos who are available for teaching Evidence-Based fall Prevention programs to adults who may be at risk for falls. During FY17, 451 older adults in New Mexico completed an evidence-based fall prevention program (FY17 Target; 700).  The missed target was a result of competing agendas and other programmatic demands, more concerted outreach and opportunities will be implemented to reach FY18 goal.