Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the NH Falls Risk Reduction Task Force announces falls awareness activities to be held on the State House Lawn, this Friday, September 21st. The event involves a demonstration of the new evidence-based falls prevention program called:  Tai Chi:  Moving for Better Balance.  It is being held one day before the National Falls Prevention Awareness Day which coincides with the first day of fall, September 22, 2012.

This year’s theme, Standing Together to Prevent Falls, seeks to unite professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and preventing falls in the older adult population.

Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for New Hampshire residents 65 and older. Approximately 105 older Granite Staters die every year because of a fall and the rate has risen, particularly for females, over the past 10 years. According to a recent survey in New Hampshire, approximately 26,000 adults over age 65 reported an injury from a fall in the last 5 years.

The New Hampshire Falls Risk Reduction Task Force has been implementing falls reduction initiatives for over a decade.  Friday’s event is another effort aimed at raising awareness of this public health issue, and prevention strategies that can help reduce the risk of falls in older adults.  The event begins at 12:30pm, on the Statehouse Lawn in Concord.  It is free and open to the public.