Preventing the most common injury among UI Health Care patients

As part of its commitment to injury prevention, the trauma center—part of the acute care surgery division in the Department of Surgery and verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center byd the American College of Surgeons —is implementing three evidence-based programs in collaboration with various community partners. Taking programs like Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention and Stepping On and making them virtual will improve access for older adults in rural areas by removing certain transportation and mobility barriers. Pisando Fuerte is a virtual and in-person program aimed at reaching Spanish-speaking older adults.   

“Falls are the most common cause of unintentional injury treated by our trauma team accounting for nearly 50% of our annual admissions,” says Colette Galet, PhD, associate research scientist with the trauma center. “In 2020, falls were the leading cause of death from unintentional injuries among Americans aged 65 and older, resulting in significant medical costs annually.”