According to Steady U, a statewide falls prevention initiative supported by the Ohio state government and business partners, on average an older Ohioan falls every two minutes, resulting in an injury every five minutes. There are also six emergency department visits, one hospitalization each hour and three deaths each day.

The Ironton Health Department is sponsoring 10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls from noon-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Ironton Farmers Market. People are encouraged to walk during this time to raise awareness and shed light on the issue.

“This is part of fall awareness day with the state of Ohio and all across the country for senior citizens,” Patti Deere, senior citizen liaison at the Ironton Health Department, said. “Falls are one of the most frightening things to senior citizens. We wanted to be a part of 10 million steps to bring awareness to senior citizens and falls.”

Also according to Steady U, more than half of all older Ohioans who live in assisted living facilities or nursing homes will fall each year, in 2012, three percent of long-stay nursing home residents sustained a major fall related injury, the number of falls among older Ohioans has increased more than 167 percent since 2000 and the total estimated cost of falls (medical and work loss) is $646 million annually in Ohio or $1.8 million each day.

Deere said Ironton is the only place in southern Ohio that has a walk and the health department is trying to get at least 60 people to take part.

The walk is a mile in downtown Ironton and there will be 20 vendors giving out cold drinks and healthy food to those walking.

“We would like to have everyone we can get,” Deere said. “We’re trying to make sure senior citizens know we care about them and can get them what they need if this happens.”

For more information about Steady U and falls, visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov. Those interested in walking in 10 Million Steps to Prevent Falls can contact the Ironton Health Department at 740-532-2172 or Mary Cogan at 740-534-2055 or 740-377-4321.