To better understand national level efforts currently devoted to falls prevention, a Steering Committee convened by NCOA commissioned a National Environmental Scan on falls prevention. This study, conducted during the summer of 2004 by Sanner and Company Marketing and Communications, had the following objectives:

1. Identify national organizations/agencies/foundations that currently address falls prevention among the elderly.

2. Identify major falls prevention programs, products, resources and services currently in place.

3. Identify significant gaps in programs, products, resources and services that can be addressed by research, new program development and evaluation.

4. Inform the Summit Steering Committee to assist in agenda development.

5. Identify organizations interested in participating in the development of a national plan aimed at reducing falls among the elderly.

6. Provide background to the participants of the Falls Free Summit.

7. Provide the substance for a) an independent report for interested organizations, policy makers, funding organizations and others, and b) a supplemental publication for the National Action Plan.

This document presents the findings of the Environmental Scan.