Abstract
Objective: Given that one in four older adults suffer potentially preventable falls annually, we aimed to identify areas with (a) delivery gaps of evidence-based programs (EBPs) targeting fall prevention among older adults, namely A Matter of Balance (AMOB), and (b) high rates of fall-related hospitalizations—hotspots. Method: Analyses included multiple geospatially linked datasets. Results: EBPs were delivered ≥1 time in 84 counties in 2012 and 90 counties in 2014. Factors associated with EPB delivery gaps (absence; p<.05) included high-density older adult areas, non-fall-related hospitalization hotspots, lower population density, nonmetropolitan areas, high-density Hispanic adult areas, and areas with limited access to home health care agencies. Hotspots for fall-related hospitalization numbered 64 in 2012 and 62 in 2014. Factors associated with hotspots included low-density older adult areas, having AMOB delivered ≥1 time annually, high population density, and high-density Hispanic adult areas. Discussion: In resource-finite settings (e.g., the aging services sector), identifying high priority areas allows for precise allocation of limited resources.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 328-339 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Aging and Health |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 5-6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2020 |
Keywords
- falls
- health
- health policy
- public policy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Life-span and Life-course Studies