Fall Prevention Project
Falls are a major health problem in Montana, particularly for individuals age 65 years and older. The ageadjusted fall mortality rate in Montana is nearly a third higher than the national average for persons aged 65 years and older, 58.8 vs. 44.6 per 100,000 (CDC, 2006). The overall age adjusted fall mortality rate in Montana is also nearly three times higher than the targeted rate for National Healthy People objective 15-27, 8.8 vs. 3.3 per 100,000 (CDC 2000-2006). In Montana, there are few fall prevention programs and no comprehensive programs being implemented at the local level to reduce the fall rate. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau, Senior & Long Term Care Division, Medicaid Waiver and Aging and Disability Resource Center programs have partnered to make fall prevention a high public health priority by bringing awareness, evidence-based interventions, and community collaboration aro
