Centene Partners to Prevent Falls in an Aging Population

12/04/2019

Centene's foundational belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable healthcare drives its determination to expand the range of products we offer, helping more and more individuals every day. With many of Centene's health plans caring for a Medicare-aged population, it's vital that we understand how to best address the specific needs and risks of these members.

Promoting fall prevention is a significant part of Centene's commitment to serving our aging population. It is estimated that by 2030, one out of every five Americans will be older than 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

·        20% of all older adult falls result in serious injury

·        95% of all hip fractures are a result of a fall

·        Roughly three million older adult falls result in an ER visit each year

In fact, more than one out of four older people fall annually, but less than half tell their doctor. It's clear that additional intervention is needed, so Centene is increasing efforts to help prevent falls.

Centene recently adapted the CDC's STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) program to assess members' environmental, biological, and behavioral fall risk factors. Centene's Fall Prevention program identifies at-risk members and educates them on fall severity. The program also supplies resources for prevention, keeping homes safe, and discussing fall risks with providers.

Additionally, Centene partnered with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) as this year's national sponsor of Falls Prevention Awareness Day. As part of the partnership, several of Centene's health plans are participating in coordinated outreach efforts with NCOA, including community events. Centene's Arizona health plan, Arizona Complete Health, recently coordinated with corporate representatives and partners for the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition to bring this initiative to life in communities across Arizona.

With the help of innovative clinical and care management programs, Centene has developed a diverse range of healthcare solutions that improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Additional information on how Centene's award-winning clinical programs help our members live healthier lives is available here.

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