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Falls present a major, growing and neglected public health problem with devastating consequences for older individuals, their families and health care systems.

The recently published World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: a global initiative (Guidelines) is a comprehensive document that provides extensive recommendations with additional background materials available on an accompanying website. The Guidelines is a consensus document informed by systematic reviews and a Delphi process. This body of work demonstrates that much is known about what works in falls prevention but there is considerable complexity. The main message is that most falls occur due to a loss of balance while upright or walking, and the most important intervention to prevent this is exercise. Rare causes such as cardioinhibitory syncope are also described. The Guidelines includes important messages about the older person's perspective, and which interventions are effective in hospitals and residential aged care facilities.

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Authors: Ian D Cameron, Susan E Kurrle and Cathie Sherrington

Article Type: Perspective