STHS & Prominence Health Hosting Special Seminar To Help Educate Older Adults On The Importance Of Fall Prevention

Entitled “Living with Fall Risks,” the program is part of STHS & Prominence Health’s “Senior Living Seminar Series,” which focuses on providing essential education on health issues affecting the elderly population

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalization for the elderly in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with more than 14 million falls reported annually among Americans 65 and older.

Unfortunately, the risk of falls increases as we mature due to age-related declines in balance, strength and vision, as well as the increased prevalence of chronic conditions and medications that affect mobility and cognition among older Americans, leading to injuries, fractures and reduced independence.

“As we grow older, our eyesight, hearing and reflexes might not be as sharp as they were when we were younger, resulting in an increased risk of falls,” says Chris Casso, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, a family medicine physician with South Texas Health System Clinics. “Many things can cause a fall, including age-related loss of muscle mass, problems with balance and gait and blood pressure that drops too much when you get up from lying down or sitting. But if you prioritize your overall health and take preventative measures, you can lower your chance of falling.”

To educate older adults in the Rio Grande Valley on falls and their impact on quality of life, South Texas Health System and Prominence Health are partnering to host the latest installment of their popular Senior Living Seminar Series on Friday, October 3, 2025. Entitled “Living with Fall Risks,” the seminar will spotlight the common causes and risk factors for falls.

Held in the Texas Room at South Texas Health System Edinburg from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the event will feature a local medical professional highlighting strategies to prevent falls among seniors, including modifications that can be made in the home to make the environment safer.

Additionally, the event will include a healthy cooking demonstration and exercise demonstration since diet and exercise play a key role in preventing falls.

During the seminar, attendees will be able to take part in a community health fair featuring no-cost health screenings, including blood pressure and glucose checks.

For more information, and to register for this free event, please contact Veronica Galligan at 956-821-9569 or by email at Veronica.Galligan@uhsinc.com

About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

About Prominence Health

Prominence Health began in 1993 as a health maintenance organization (HMO) and became of a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) in 2014. They provide coverage to more than 60,000 fully insured, self-funded and Medicare Advantage members throughout Nevada and parts of Texas. Prominence operates seven Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in California, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Washington D.C., which are managed care systems that benefit communities by providing coordinated, high-quality care to Medicare patients. For more information about Prominence Health, visit ProminenceHealthPlan.com or ProminenceMedicare.com.