Complexities of fall prevention.

Falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults and are an independent predictor variable leading to nursing home admission [1]. Each year, 20 percent of people older than 65 sustain serious falls [2]. Accidental death among the elderly is most often caused by falls [3]. The effects of falls, however, are not limited to physical injury; psychological and social sequelae have a long-lasting impact on function [4]. Medical, pharmacological, and functional factors, independently or jointly, increase the likelihood of falls [5–6]. Visual impairment, vestibular dysfunction, antidepressants, sedatives, gait abnormalities, and impaired mental status have all been implicated as increasing the risk for falls. The complex nature of fall causation and prevention prompts research focusing on risk factors, interventions, and the biomechanics of falls in general and within specific populations known to be in greater danger of incurring falls. Consequently, we dedicate this special issue of JRRD to older people who struggle with the likelihood of falling. We aim to further our understanding of interventions that modify specific aspects of this important clinical problem. This issue highlights the complexities of fall prevention through evaluation, intervention, and biomechanical analysis.