
%0 Journal Article
%A Lawless, Susie 
%A White, Phil 
%A Murdoch, Prue 
%A Leitch, Sharon 
%T (Preventing) two birds with one stone: improving vitamin D levels in the elderly
%J Journal of Primary Health Care
%D 2011/06/01
%V 3
%N 2
%P 150-152
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/HC11150
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/HC11150 
%X BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: A majority of adults have sub-optimal vitamin D levels in the winter in southern New Zealand. This is associated with an increased risk of falls and fragility fractures in the elderly, with long-term adverse outcomes likely. Vitamin D supplementation decreases the risks of both falls and fractures. ASSESSMENT OF PROBLEM: An intervention was undertaken by a small urban general practice to increase the number of elderly patients receiving vitamin D supplementation by linking vitamin D prescription to the annual flu vaccination campaign. RESULTS: Uptake of the supplementation was high and costs to the practice low. Thirty-eight patients were identified for whom long-term supplementation with vitamin D was indicated. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT: The study could have been strengthened by incorporating a more formal method of evaluating uptake. LESSONS: Encouraging patients to take supplements as a population-based strategy is a realistic intervention, and linking it to the flu vaccination campaign is both seasonally appropriate and efficient. KEYWORDS: Vitamin D deficiency; elderly; vitamin D supplementation; cholecalciferol; prevention; fragility fractures; intervention 
