New York State Department of Health to Expand Falls Prevention Programs for Older Adults

Department to Expand Falls Prevention Community Programming to Those with Greatest Need

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 23, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health and key partners will expand the availability of evidence-based falls prevention programs across the state, assisting adults over the age of 60 with the greatest social or economic need, and adults with disabilities.

"Every New Yorker should be able to age with dignity and independence," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "The fear of falling or an actual fall can take that independence away. By expanding evidence-based community programs, we can make falls prevention resources available to older adults and those with disabilities to help reduce accidents and associated complications."

New York State has the fourth largest older adult population in the nation and the number of older adults living under the poverty line increased 50 percent during the last decade, a factor that has been linked to increased falls risk. Regardless of injury occurrence or severity, the fear of falling may limit an individual's activities and independence, resulting in further functional decline and increased fall risk.

New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen said, "Expanding fall prevention programs across the state is pivotal because falls are preventable and there are proven ways to reduce and prevent them. I applaud the Department of Health for their continuous efforts to help ensure older adults stay healthy and active. NYSOFA's goal is to help older New Yorkers live as independently and actively as possible for as long as possible and increasing preventative programs across the state will do just that."

The program is a $1.25 million three-year demonstration awarded to the Department by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living. The project will improve the provision of and streamline access to evidence-based falls prevention programs through unique partnerships with the New York State Office for the Aging, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center, Brain Injury Association of New York State, Mental Health Association of New York and the Seneca Nation Area Office for the Aging. Community partners will implement evidence-based falls prevention programs with a person-centered approach, measure outcomes and evaluate the impact, create resources and share lessons learned for others to replicate the model statewide.

Existing evidence-based falls prevention programs will be expanded to more effectively address the needs of a variety of skill levels, building capacity for virtual offerings and active maintenance programs. Programs include A Matter of Balance, Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, and Stay Active and Independent for Life.

By strengthening and developing new partnerships, this demonstration will create an innovative model that increases statewide capacity to deliver person-centered, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate evidence-based falls prevention programs to target populations of adults 60 and older with greatest economic and/or greatest social need, and adults with disabilities.

Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, hospitalizations and emergency department visits among New York State residents aged 60 and older. In 2023, fall injuries caused more than 1,800 deaths, more than 78,000 hospitalizations, and more than 182,000 emergency department visits. From 2018 to 2023, the rate of fall-related deaths among New Yorkers 60 and older increased by 25 percent, fall-related hospitalizations increased by 13 percent and fall-related emergency department visits increased by 15 percent.

Older adult fall prevention is recognized in the 2025–2030 Prevention Agenda as a public health priority for state and local action. Recommended inventions include using a home fall prevention checklist, taking evidence-based fall prevention programs and promoting health care provider screening for fall risk. Community partners can review the Prevention Agenda for more details on interventions, potential tracking measures and implementation resources.

For more information about older adult fall prevention visit the Department's website for injury prevention and find information about local prevention programs here.

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