News Release

Students Complete Yearlong Falls Prevention Capstone Project

May 6 , 2010

A team of four UNC-CH students recently completed their second year MPH Capstone project by working with the UNC Institute on Aging, Carolina Geriatric Education Center, and NC Falls Prevention Coalition to address older adult falls prevention in the state.

The students, Jennifer Nomides, Leilani Ogan, Alyse Talbot and Daniel Cothran, conducted a broad range of activities during the academic year, including conducting five focus groups with older adults to better understand their attitudes and behaviors regarding falls prevention; surveying over 240 people to help choose the NC Falls Prevention Coalition slogan, "Stay Strong, Stay Active, Stay Standing"; creating various falls prevention educational materials for older adults, health care professionals, and community service providers; researching and drafting falls prevention policies and legislation; and assisting with four regional falls prevention workshops held across the state in April and May. The NC Division of Public Health funded several of the activities.

"The students have made a significant contribution in our efforts to advance older adult falls prevention in North Carolina," said Ellen Schneider, Institute on Aging and Capstone team community partner mentor. "We wish them all the best after graduation and know that they will continue to be falls prevention advocates in their chosen careers." Community partner mentors from the Carolina Geriatric Education Center were Rebecca Hunter and Sarah Lowman.