---
title: "Risk Assessment and Prevention of Falls in Older…"
description: "Exercise, multifactorial interventions, cataract surgery, podiatry, and environmental modifications can reduce falls in older adults."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38536167.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38536167.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38536167.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d38536167"
journal: "JAMA"
year: 2024
pmid: "38536167"
doi: "10.1001/jama.2024.1416"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Risk Assessment and Prevention of Falls in Older Community-Dwelling Adults: A Review

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38536167.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d38536167

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | JAMA |
| Year | 2024 |
| PMID | [38536167](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38536167/) |
| DOI | [10.1001/jama.2024.1416](https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.1416) |
| Study key | d38536167 |

## Takeaway

Exercise, multifactorial interventions, cataract surgery, podiatry, and environmental modifications can reduce falls in older adults.

## The question

What are the risk factors for falls in older community-dwelling adults and what interventions are effective in preventing them?

## Hypothesis

Not applicable; this is a review article summarizing existing research.

## Methods

This review synthesized findings from meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized trials to assess risk factors and the effectiveness of various fall prevention interventions in older community-dwelling adults.

## Results

Major modifiable risk factors include gait and balance disorders, orthostatic hypotension, sensory impairment, medications, and environmental hazards. Exercise interventions were associated with 655 falls per 1000 patient-years in intervention groups vs 850 in control groups (RR 0.77). Multifactorial interventions were associated with 1784 falls per 1000 patient-years in intervention groups vs 2317 in control groups (RR 0.77). Other effective interventions included cataract surgery (RR 0.68), multicomponent podiatry interventions (RR 0.77), and environmental modifications for high-risk individuals (RR 0.74). Programs to stop medications associated with falls did not show a significant reduction in falls when studied in isolation.

## Conclusion

Functional exercises to improve leg strength and balance are recommended for fall prevention in average-risk to high-risk populations. Multifactorial risk reduction, based on systematic clinical assessment for modifiable risk factors, may reduce fall rates among those at high risk.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state limitations of the review itself, but rather summarizes findings from other studies.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> exercise interventions reduced falls to 655 per 1000 patient-years versus 850 in control groups

## Fall Rates per 1000 Patient-Years for Different Interventions

| Measure | Falls per 1000 Patient-Years |
| --- | --- |
| Exercise Intervention | 655 |
| Non-Exercise Control | 850 |
| Multifactorial Intervention | 1784 |
| Multifactorial Control | 2317 |

*Comparison of fall rates per 1000 patient-years between intervention and control groups for exercise and multifactorial fall prevention strategies.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance and Strength Trainer | Strong evidence | [Balance and Strength Trainer](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/169.md) |

## Reference

1. **Risk Assessment and Prevention of Falls in Older Community-Dwelling Adults: A Review**
   JAMA 2024 · [PMID 38536167](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38536167/) · [DOI 10.1001/jama.2024.1416](https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.1416)

   > exercise interventions reduced falls to 655 per 1000 patient-years versus 850 in control groups

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- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).