Falls take the lives of 684 000 people each year. Beyond the death toll, 172 million more people experience disabilities arising from a fall each year. Falls are not only a significant global public health problem – they are a rapidly growing one. Fall-related deaths have risen far faster than any other type of injury over the last two decades. Many factors account for this increase – ageing populations and patterns of urbanization chief among them.

The Step Safely technical package provides concrete recommendations for evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage falls for children and adolescents, workers, and older people. Among others, effective prevention measures include parenting programmes for low-income and marginalized families, stricter worker safety regulations, and strength and balance training for older people. Preventing falls can help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals linked to health and well-being, decent work, and safe, inclusive cities. The global community should actively look for opportunities to reduce the growing harm, suffering and loss that result from falls.

Find out more about the Step Safely package here.

The WHO are running a series of webinars in April 2022 on falls prevention. Find out more and book your place below: