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September 2006 (Volume 84)
Quarterly Article
Vicki A. Freedman
Nancy Hodgson
Joanne Lynn
Brenda C. Spillman
Timothy Waidmann
Anne M. Wilkinson
Douglas A. Wolf
Oct 14, 2026
September 2026
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Although the prevalence of late-life disability has been declining, how best to promote further reductions remains unclear. This article develops and then demonstrates an approach for comparing the effects of interventions on the prevalence of late-life disability. We review evidence for three potentially high-impact strategies: physical activity, depression screening and treatment, and fall prevention. Because of the large population at risk for falling, the demonstrated efficacy of multi-component interventions in preventing falls, and the strong links between falls and disability, we conclude that, in the short run, multi-component fall-prevention efforts would likely have a higher impact than either physical activity or depression screening and treatment. However, longer-term comparisons cannot be made based on the current literature and may differ from short-run conclusions, since increases in longevity may temper the influences of these interventions on prevalence. Additional research is needed to evaluate longer-term outcomes of interventions, including effects on length and quality of life.
Author(s): Vicki A. Freedman; Nancy Hodgson; Joanne Lynn; Brenda C. Spillman; Timothy Waidmann; Anne M. Wilkinson; Douglas A. Wolf
Keywords: disability; aging; interventions
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Volume 84, Issue 3 (pages 493–520) DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0009.2006.00456.x Published in 2006