7th European Public Health Conference – 19th – 22nd November 2014

Mind the gap: Reducing inequalities in health and healthcare
19 - 22 November 2014
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

EUPHA Section Injury prevention and safety promotion in collaboration with ProFouND and EuroSafe present the pre-conference:

Falls Prevention: Evidence into practice
Wednesday 19 November 2014

This European Seminar aims to give participants the knowledge and skills needed to operate an evidence-based approach to falls and fall-related injury prevention among seniors. Participants will also learn about current effective programs from members of the ProFouND partnership, and the reliability and validity of existing resources and tools for screening and assessing fall risk. The seminar will also provide insight into how to involve seniors as partners in the development of effective strategies and interventions.

Provisional programme:

The evidence base. Preventing Falls and Injuries - What works and for whom, Individualised Approaches?
This session focuses on published Cochrane Reviews and other Systematic Reviews of Evidence as for the numbers of fallers and consequences of injuries in these settings. Figures are presented from across Europe.
Chair: Dawn Skelton, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK

The evidence base. Preventing Falls and Injuries - What drives change?
This session focuses on the need for a population approach, evidence on cost benefits of prevention, and opportunities for national and local level programmes.
Chair: Johan Lund, President of EUPHA section on Injury Prevention

Effective implementation. Examples of effective falls prevention interventions in different settings
This session focuses on evaluation of evidence based exercise interventions through low risk populations, multifactorial interventions through higher risk populations and the involvement of insurance companies as prime beneficiaries of reduction in fall incidences.
Chair: Clemens Becker, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus Geriatric Rehabilitation Clinic, Germany

Practical ideas for action
This session focuses on some very practical ideas for action, including introducing falls awareness events nationally and locally, education of older people and professionals in the need for strength and balance for primary prevention of falls, and how we use the cost and evidence arguments to influence change.
Chair: Wim Rogmans, EuroSafe, The Netherlands

Who should attend?

Those wishing to play a part in working together to implement falls prevention interventions at local and/or national level are encouraged to participate in this pre-conference, including those working in:

• government and in public institutions;
• health care, community care and active lifestyle promotion;
• housing, urban planning, transportation and education;
• academic institutions, institutes of public health and research institutions;
• private sector organisations, e.g. insurance businesses, leisure and hospitality industry, care services and those working in product design and manufacturing;
• non-governmental organisations promoting health and consumer safety or advocating for older people;
• older people themselves.

Visit the conference website for more information.