By S R Lord, C Sherrington, and H B Menz. (Pp 249; A$85.00.) Cambridge University Press (Private Bag 31, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia), 2001. ISBN 0-521-58964-9.

• Lord SR
• Sherrington C
• Menz HB
• Falls in older people: risk factors and strategies for prevention

This book has been written with a view to consolidating the now substantial body of research on falls aetiology, and the growing literature on proven falls prevention measures. It does not include falls injury and the specific prevention of injuries arising as the result of a fall, such as that provided by external hip protectors. It has primarily been written for readers with a medical, allied health, or research background. Many falls prevention practitioners with a health promotion or health science background will also find this, on the whole, a very useful resource.

The book is in three sections: risk factors for falls, strategies for prevention, and research issues. Each chapter has good headings which provide useful signposts for the reader and is comprehensively referenced. A conclusion is provided at the end of each chapter, although at times these tend to be a little too broad.

Section I (risk factors for falls) covers the general falls epidemiology, postural stability, sensory and neuromuscular risk factors, medical risk factors, medications, environmental risk factors, and finishes with a summary chapter. The first chapter provides a good overview of falls epidemiology. The issue of “near-falls” and the relationship to falls is not mentioned. This is an area where thoughtful …