This NACCHO-developed issue brief highlights the prevalence of falls in community-dwelling older adults and offers evidence-based prevention practices.

As the United States prepares for a record shift in population age, public health must continue to promote healthy aging through policies and programs that support older adults and their community. Nearly 20% of Americans—approximately 73 million—will be aged 65 or older by 2030. The older adult population faces a range of serious and expensive health concerns, such as chronic conditions; physical impairment; and sensory, physiological, and cognitive decline. Chiefly among these concerns is the prevalence of falls among community-dwelling older adults.