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Result 1: Improved Health Status for New Mexicans

P003: Fall-related death rate per 100,000 adults aged 65 years or older

Current Value

87.9 per 100,000

2017

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

  • Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for Americans aged 65 years and older. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. Falls threaten seniors' safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs.
  • New Mexico’s fall-related death rate was 1.7 times greater than the U.S. rate in 2015.  Evidence-based fall prevention programs are an effective means of gaining strength and improving balance and have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of adult falls. NMDOH currently supports five evidence-based fall prevention programs for older adults including STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injury).
  • There are currently over 95 evidence-based fall prevention instructors in 16 New Mexico counties and 14 Native American Pueblos. Over 500 older adults in New Mexico have completed an evidence-based fall prevention program referral for resources. 
  • NMDOH works with eight contractors to support and train master trainers, instructors, coaches, and older adults throughout New Mexico.

Partners

  • NMDOH
  • AARP 
  • New Mexico Adult Falls Prevention Coalition
  • New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department/Aging and Disability Resource Center
  • University of New Mexico Health System
  • Indian Health Service
  • New Mexico State University Kinesiology and Dance
  • Presbyterian Health System
  • CHRISTUS St. Vincent Outpatient Services
  • New Mexico Primary Care Association
  • New Mexico Healthy Aging Collaborative
  • New Mexico Injury Prevention Coalition

What Works

Evidence-based fall prevention programs have been proven to reduce falls in adults aged 65 years and older. NMDOH supports five evidence-based falls prevention/exercise programs: STEADI, OTAGO, Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, A Matter of Balance, and Tai Chi for Arthritis. These practices include:

  • Conduct annual screenings for strength and balance.
  • Provide annual medication reviews and management for older adults.
  • Conduct annual vision exams for older adults.
  • Provide patient counseling on home and environmental safety.
  • Encourage older adults to exercise, provide education and referrals to older adults for physical activity classes such as Matter of Balance, OTAGO, or Tai Chi.
  • Review vitamin D supplementation as appropriate.

Strategy

  • Expand the network of instructors available statewide for evidence-based falls prevention exercise programs.
  • Increase the number of professionals trained on the use of the STEADI toolkit. 
  • Continue to encourage older adults to exercise, provide education and referrals to older adults for physical activity classes such as A Matter of Balance, OTAGO, or Tai Chi.

FY18 Annual Progress Summary

In FY18 the New Mexico Department of Health Epidemiology and Response Division’s Adult Falls program has consistently achieved its milestones. 

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Scorecard Container Measure Action Actual Value Target Value Tag S A m/d/yy m/d/yyyy