New research has uncovered the areas of western Victoria most affected by injuries sustained through falling, with the Surf Coast topping the chart for falls during a sporting activity.<\/p>\n
The Deakin University study \u2013 which was carried out by the institution\u2019s Epicentre for Healthy Ageing \u2013 examined falls from both a low and high height in people over 40 by local government area. <\/p>\n
Corangamite, Colac-Otway and Moyne demonstrated the lowest rate of falls from a low height, while falls from above 1m were most common in Corangamite. <\/p>\n
Low falls mostly occurred in the home and during leisure activities, while falls recorded from a height mostly occurred during leisure activities, followed by work.<\/p>\n
Lead researcher Dr Kara Holloway said falls could have serious health implications on a person\u2019s quality of life and were likely to increase with Australia\u2019s ageing population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis study specifically looked at over 40s because falls, both from a high and low height, are more problematic in older people and can result in serious injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is because older people are less able to tolerate stressors and injury than younger people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope these data will help pinpoint what the best fall prevention strategies are in each part of western Victoria, so prevention measures can be tailored to those regions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other results demonstrated that a higher proportion of women than men experienced a fall from a height during leisure time, while men were more likely to fall when undertaking work activities than women.<\/p>\n
Dr Holloway said falls from a height could include falling from the roof of a building, a balcony, window, ladder, staircase or other high-level structure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese types of falls are associated with significant injury, as well as substantial healthcare costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are also the major cause of injury in work environments and 11 per cent of all work-related deaths in Australia are the result of a fall from height.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New research has uncovered the areas of western Victoria most affected by injuries sustained through falling, with the Surf Coast topping the chart for falls during a sporting activity. The Deakin University study \u2013 which was carried out by the institution\u2019s Epicentre for Healthy Ageing \u2013 examined falls from both a low and high height […]<\/p>\n