Implementing falls prevention research into policy and practice in Australia: Past, present and future

IntroductionFalls in older Australians are a significant public health issue with one in three older people falling one or more times each year.MethodMany fall prevention randomized controlled trials have been conducted in Australia as well as across the world.ResultsThe findings of these studies now constitute a substantial evidence base that can provide direction for health and lifestyle interventions for preventing falls in older people. This research evidence has contributed to health policy in Australia to some extent, but is yet to be widely implemented into practice. This opinion piece overviews previous policy initiatives and describes a new Partnership research program funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), which seeks to further influence health policy and address the ongoing research-practice gap.