Doha, July 28 (QNA) - A new study by experts from the Institute for Population Health (IPH) at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) has revealed major gaps in research on falls among older adults in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 
  Published in BMJ Global Health, the IPH study provides the first comprehensive mapping of observational epidemiological evidence on fall-related outcomes across the MENA region. It noted that the availability, scope and geographic distribution of epidemiological evidence on fall-related outcomes in the MENA region remain poorly characterized, limiting policy development and prevention efforts. 
  In the paper, the researchers identified 203 primary studies reporting on fall prevalence, frequency, risk and fear of falling, self-reported perceived reasons for falling and postfall consequences among 424,000 adults aged 60 and older in the MENA region. They noted that the evidence gap map highlights substantial data gaps across several countries, with marked underrepresentation of rural, low-income and conflict-affected settings, and limited evidence on key fall-related outcomes such as fear of falling and self-reported perceived reasons for falling, both critical for designing effective prevention strategies. 
The findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen regional data systems across the region through standardized, context-specific surveillance, including the integration of fall indicators into national surveys and hospital-based registries. The authors recommended collecting data in regional languages to improve accessibility and cross-country comparability. Addressing these gaps will support the development of effective, equitable and locally relevant fall prevention policies and intervention across the MENA region.
These studies were part of a broader IPH research project focused on falls among older adults in the MENA region. The project aims to generate robust region-specific evidence on the burden, distribution, consequences, risk factors, and research gaps associated with falls, ultimately supporting stronger surveillance systems, targeted prevention strategies, and evidence-informed policies that promote healthy ageing across the region. (QNA)