老人跌倒是公共衛生重要的議題之一。跌倒是我國老人事故傷害的第二大死因，也導致老人身體功能與獨立活動能力喪失、心理的傷害與社會功能損失等，因而產生巨大的社會成本。本文回顧常見的跌倒的定義、國內外老人跌倒的發生率與死亡率、可能的嚴重的跌倒後果、常被報告的跌倒危險因子(包括個人特性、急性與慢性疾病、藥物以及環境因素)及常用的跌倒預防方法(包括平衡評估、運動、教育、藥物改變、減少環境危害以及復健與轉介)。另外，我們也討論老人跌倒研究中需注意的一些議題，包含多重跌倒的定義與分析、跌倒發生的測量問題、疾病與症狀對藥物使用的干擾以及運動種類與安全。最後並提出對未來老人跌倒研究與老人跌倒預防實務的建議。

　　　　　Falls among older people are one of the most important public health issues in the world. Falling is the second leading cause of injury-related death among older people in Taiwan. In addition, they lead to severe physical injuries, lack of independence in daily living, psychological trauma, and social dysfunction that results in enormous social costs. This review paper summarizes definitions, incidence and mortality, major consequences, common risk factors (including human factors, acute and chronic diseases, medication, and environment), and common preventive methods (including balance assessment, exercise, education, medication change, reduction of environmental hazards, and rehabilitation and referral care) of falls among older persons in Taiwan and other countries. Besides, research issues related to multiple definitions, data analysis, and measurement of falls, confounding of medication by indication, and type and safety of exercise are further discussed. Finally, some suggestions are provided for future studies and clinical practices for fall prevention among older people.