Despite Active Public Health Campaigns, Death from Falls Increased 30% in the Past Decade: Is Ageism Part of the Barrier to Self-Awareness?

Public health messaging campaigns stating that falls are bad and can be prevented are not effective, as evidenced by a 30% increase in death from falls over the past decade. A first approach is to use measures of balance to show the magnitude of the problem. Second, the role of ageism as a barrier to required behavioral change should be addressed. Third, explanations should be provided regarding why mobility and balance have changed. As a counter to ageism, pros and cons for specific interventions and how these maximize momentum and mobility should be discussed.