News (April 2008)

CDC Fall Prevention “Podcasts” on the Internet

First there were websites, then we learned about “blogs”, and now it is “podcasts” that allow fast dissemination of information online. For example, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintain on their website a special “podcasts” section where internet users find information on a wide variety of health issues. Most recently, the CDC presented the podcast “Preventing Older Adult Falls”, authored by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)  and published by the Morbididty and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The two and a half minute podcast is available at http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/browse.asp by selecting “Falls - Older Adults” under “Topics”.

The podcast outlines the severity of falls among older adults, identifies risk factors for falls, and suggests ways to prevent falls among individuals at greatest risk for falling. The CDC hopes to increase the circulation of knowledge on health issues by using podcasting technology.  A podcast is essentially a media file (usually audio only) that can be played on a desktop, laptop, or portable music device. The podcasts posted by the CDC are free and include transcripts of the podcast files. CDC podcasts can also be saved to a computer for later use. 

The CDC opted for podcasts in order to limit the production of paper pamphlets. “Young” older adults – ages 60 to 65 – who use the internet frequently as a source of information may become podcast users with very little training. Individuals with modest or no prior exposure to the internet may be less enchanted with the new technology.

President Bush Signs Falls Act into Law Without Appropriations

On April 23rd, President Bush signed the Safety of Seniors Act of 2007. While the Act has since become Public Law No: 110-2020, with no appropriations, the bill has no funding attached. Lawmakers are now following up with an appropriations strategy.

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