NIH, PCORI Announce $30 Million Study on Preventing Fall-Related Injuries

Every year, roughly one in three older Americans suffers a fall. Although evidence points to effective ways to prevent falls, rates of fall-related injury remain stubbornly high, making falls one of the most common causes of disability and loss of independence among older adults. Until now, no large-scale study has been undertaken to identify the most effective combination of falls prevention strategies to fit the needs of different individuals and different health care systems.

On Wednesday, June 4, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health will announce the selection of the research team that will carry out a major, five-year, $30 million patient-centered study of the effectiveness of individually tailored care plans to help older individuals avoid falls and related injuries.

Details of the new national study will be shared at a one-hour public briefing via webinar/teleconference, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (ET) Wednesday, June 4.

Participants include:

• Bryan Luce, PhD, PCORI Chief Science Officer
• Richard Hodes, MD, NIA Director
• Principal investigators of the research team
• Patient, caregiver, and clinician representatives