Fracture prevention services – An economic evaluation

Falls are a major cause of disability and mortality in the UK. Thirty percent of those aged 65 or over who live in the community fall each year, increasing to 45 percent in those aged 80 or above 1 . The main cause of falls is unsteadiness during movement. In addition, some are caused by blackouts (syncope) associated with cardiac or circulation problems. Both become more common with age, due to increasing prevalence of frailty and other long term conditions.