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Background and aims:Falls are major contributors to disability, morbidity and death for older people. Frequently, falls-related data for each of these areas is viewed in isolation. The aim of this study was to establish trends in incidence of falls-related events including: community reporting of falls and falls-related injuries, hospitalizations as a result of accidental falls, and mortality related to accidental falls for older people in two states of Australia (Victoria and South Australia). Methods:We analysed data sets for falls hospitalizations and mortality rates for the period 1988 to 1997, and from two longitudinal population-based proportional samples during the same time period. Results:Age-standardised falls mortality rates have steadily declined in Victoria, and remained unchanged between 1988 and 1997 in South Australia. In both states, age-standardised falls hospitalization rates have increased significantly (in Victoria, RR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.30–1.34; and South Australia, RR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.06). In both states, there was a clear age-related effect, with those in the 85-year and older age group having a falls-related mortality rate approximately 40 times that of those aged 65–69 years, and a hospitalization rate 9 times that of those in the 65–69 age group. The community studies indicated that falls rates remain high among older Australians, and that injurious falls occurred in 10% in the first wave of data collection in each of these studies. Conclusions:The results highlight that various indicators related to falls trends taken in isolation may yield differing conclusions. For a true reflection of the effectiveness of falls prevention programs, falls-related mortality, hospitalization and community data need to be integrated. Increased focus on falls prevention activity in Australia during the 1990’s has not reduced the magnitude of this major public health problem.

The geological and paleomagnetic study of the Hyblean volcanic rocks in southeastern Sicily permits the following conclusions: 1.(1) The Upper Cretaceous volcanics are considerably more extensive than earlier studies indicated, they stretch from north of Augusta to the vicinity of Siracusa. Their magnetization is identical to that of the better known outcrops around Capo Passero. Of the two new age dates reported here, one is younger than any so far reported.2.(2) The Upper Tortonian flows are normally magnetized, suggesting a correlation of the Carlentini Formation with magnetic interval 7. The flows at the top of the Tellaro Formation are also normally magnetized and are tentatively correlated with the Carlentini Formation flows. Shorter reversed intervals within interval 7 may be represented by two less well-dated flows.3.(3) The lowest Pliocene flows have an adequate stratigraphie control and their magnetization is consistent with the extrusion of the pillow lavas during the Mammoth event. The Militello flow sequence together with the Francofonte flows appear by indirect argument to lie within the oldest reversed interval, i.e. pre-Kaena, of the Matuyama epoch. The individual flows in which both normal and reversed directions have been found cannot be assigned positions in magneto-stratigraphie scale.4.(4) The geomagnetic pole positions are consistent with that of the African plate during the Cretaceous, and a European plate location during both Pliocene and Miocene time. The pole positions are: Upper Cretaceous 212.3°E, 69.3°N. Upper Miocene: 200.9°E, 82.1°N. Pliocene 339.3°E, 85.9°N.

Two sisters presenting with a Gillespie's syndrome are reported. This autosomal recessive syndrome is characterized by a circumpupillary aplasia of the iris, non-progressive cerebellar ataxia and oligophrenia.