Welcome
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to the second newsletter of 2026 from the Communications Committee of the World Falls Prevention Society.
We are counting down the weeks now in the lead up to the 3rd World Falls Congress that commences on June 24 in Manchester, UK. There will be an excellent scientific program, showcasing the amazing breadth of research being conducted across the globe to better understand and prevent falls in older age.
This newsletter contains information about planning your trip, keynote speakers and recent publications. We hope you enjoy it and look forward to seeing you in Manchester! Best wishes,
Professor Anne Tiedemann and Professor Maw Pin Tan,
on behalf of the World Falls Prevention Society Communications Committee
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE WORLD FALLS PREVENTION SOCIETY
The purpose of the World Falls Prevention Society (WFPS) is to promote the multidisciplinary study and implementation of fall prevention in older people and clinical groups with balance impairment.
OUR OBJECTIVES ARE:
- To plan and organise WFPS congresses, symposia and meetings.
- To present and discuss the latest research and clinical findings relating to fall risk factors and fall prevention strategies.
- To facilitate student participation at WFPS congresses through travel grants, low registration fees and presentation awards.
- To provide members with email notifications about upcoming WFPS congresses and other occasional email updates.
- To facilitate interaction between members who meet from across the world.
- To foster links with similar societies and networks around the world.
- To promote the broad discipline of fall prevention research.
- To translate fall prevention into practice and policy through guidelines, advocacy and education.
REGISTRATIONS FOR THE 3RD WORLD FALLS CONGRESS ARE NOW OPEN
worldfallssociety.org/3rd-world-falls-congress/
Discounted registration is available if you become a member of the World Falls Prevention Society, see here for more information: Membership
If you cannot attend the congress in person there is the option of online registration. This is a low-cost alternative that still qualifies you to receive CPD points.
Invited speakers:
We have 12 invited speakers presenting at the congress. These short videos provide an introduction to some of the topics they will cover:
Lara Mitchell
Toby Ellmers
Dawn Skelton
Cathie Sherrington
Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh
Planning your trip:
Manchester Convention Bureau is the official accommodation booking provider for the World Falls Congress 2026.
Through this website you will find accommodation options which are close to the venue, offering best rates available. You can book, modify or cancel your reservation via this site. There are specially negotiated accommodation rates for some of the hotels for a limited period. Please use the access code WFCBGSHOTEL to view these.
This accommodation website will be open until 27th May 2026; however early booking is recommended to ensure you are able to book your preferred hotel.
This event receives support in the form of sponsorship. For details on confirmed sponsors, please see the event webpage. Other than sponsored sessions, they have no input into the programme.
Other things to do in Manchester:
Manchester is a vibrant city with a long history of science, industrial/ technology innovation and culture. While attending the congress be sure to leave some time to visit the sights, including free museums, and to explore the city. More information can be found at: Visit Manchester | Official Tourist Board for Manchester
OTHER UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Canadian Geriatrics Society annual scientific meeting, April 23-25 2026, Montreal, Canada. https://www.canadiangeriatrics.ca/2026-asm
International Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology, 5-8 July 2026, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Home | 23rd IAGG WORLD CONGRESS OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS AGEING WELL IN A GLOBALIZED WORLD
The 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2026) 2-4 September 2026, Cape Town, South Africa. https://worldsafety.co.za/
European Geriatric Medicine Society conference 16-18 September, 2026, Lille, France 22nd EuGMS CONGRESS | Lille, France – September 16-18, 2026
11th International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress, 5-8 October 2026, Mérida, México. https://ispah.org/congress-2026
SOCIAL MEDIA
The World Falls Prevention Society is active on social media. Please follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and LinkedIn, like and share our posts, and help us to spread the word about fall prevention!
Instagram: @worldfallssociety
Bluesky: @worldfallssociety.bsky.social
Facebook: World Falls Prevention Society
LinkedIn: World Falls Prevention Society
Do you have new publications or announcements you would like to share on our Instagram account? Please send any content you would like posted to dabreu@fmrp.usp.br
RECENT PUBLICATIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD FALLS GUIDELINES
1. Validation of World Guideline gait speed and TUG cut-offs for fall risk stratification in ambulatory nursing home residents aged ≥ 80 years: a multicenter cross-sectional diagnostic study
Jia S, Wang L, Li F, Shi Y, Liu C, Gang S, Wang X. BMC Geriatr. 2026 Mar 12. doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07329-6. Online ahead of print.
2. Fall risk prediction in older adults at the emergency department: where the guidelines do not fit
García-Martínez A, Artajona L, García-Rosa S, Torres Machado V, Gil-Rodrigo A, Pérez-Fonseca C, Aguiló S, Lee JS, Jacob J, Llorens P, Herrero-Puente P, Gómez-Angelats E, Boixeda C, Martín-Sánchez J, Lázaro Del Nogal M, Miró O. Emerg Med J. 2026 Mar 18:emermed-2025-215651. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2025-215651. Online ahead of print.
3. Prospective evaluation of balance and mobility tests as part of the World Falls Guidelines algorithm
Saunders S, Speechley M, Griffith LE, A, Sibley KM, Raina P, D’amore C, Richardson J, Noble T, Beauchamp MK. Age Ageing. 2026 Feb 1;55(2):afag028. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afag028.
4. Fall risk assessment using the World Guidelines for Falls Prevention Algorithm: Evidence from the ELSI-Brazil study
de Avelar NC, Danielewicz AL, Moreira BD, de Souza Andrade AC, Torres JL, de Amorim JS, Montero-Odasso M, Lima-Costa MF, Perracini MR. European Geriatric Medicine. 2026 Apr 1:1-8.
worldfallssociety.org 