In 2008, DOH’s Falls Prevention Program was legislatively mandated.  Washington has multiple evidence-based falls prevention programs and highly active State Falls Prevention Coalitions, and is a member of the National Council on Aging’s Falls Free Initiative.

Current goals and objectives for the Washington Falls Prevention Coalition

  • Goals: 
    • Education and awareness: Increase public awareness about the risks of falls and how they can be prevented. 
    • Community programs: Implement and support community-based programs that help older adults improve their balance, strength, and overall health.
    • Policy advocacy: Advocate for policies that support fall prevention initiatives and improve safety standards in homes and public spaces.
    • Collaboration: Foster collaboration among healthcare providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to create a comprehensive approach to fall prevention.
    • Research and data collection: Promote research on fall prevention and collect data to better understand the causes and effective interventions for falls among older adults.
  • Objectives:
    • These efforts are designed to help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life by reducing the risk of falls. 

Leadership for the Washington Falls Prevention Coalition

  • Injury Violence Prevention and Falls Prevention Technical Advisory committee, Department of Health
    • Contact: stephanie.kunold@doh.wa.gov and marla.emde@doh.wa.gov
  • Benton Franklin Counties Fall Prevention Coalition
    • Contact: Kellyl@bfhd.wa.gov
  • Island Count Falls Prevention Coalition
    • Contact: l.dickman@islandcountywa.gov
  • King County Falls Prevention Coalition
    • Contact: paiged@soundgenerations.org
  • Lewis, Mason, Thurston County
    • Contact: Valerie.aubertin@dshs.wa.gov
  • North Central Region Fall Prevention Coalition 
    • Contact: Janna.Finley@confluence.org
  • North Region EMS
    • Contact: nadja@northregionems.com
  • Pierce County Fall Prevention Coalition 
  • Spokane Health Aging Coalition
    • Contact: ntauzin@srhd.org
  • West Region EMS Coalition
    • Contact: director@wrems.com

Key Partners for the Washington Falls Prevention Coalition

  • AAA
  • Seattle Sound Generations
  • Washington State Association of Senior Centers

What has the Washington Falls Prevention Coalition achieved? 

  1. Increased their evidence-based instructor trainings for SAIL, Otago and Tai Ji Quan across the state to outlying areas that have higher incidence rates of falls.
  2. Provided over 1,000 wall bars to be installed in lower income, disabled and/or veteran owned homes that were at risk for falls.

What are some current challenges for theWashington State Falls Prevention Coalition?

  1. Funding for instructors and instructor training for evidence-based exercise programs
  2. Finding instructors for evidence -based programs

What evidence-based falls prevention programs are currently offered by the Washington State Falls Prevention Coalition?

What outcomes are monitored by the Washington Falls Prevention Coalition?

  • Evidence based exercise class attendance across the programs throughout the state

Learn more on the Washington Department of Health's Falls Prevention Resources webpage.