Reducing falls by seniors — a major cause of loss of independence and declining health — is the goal of a new study by Mercy Clinics and the University of Iowa. Led by the Mercy Accountable Care Organization, eight Mercy Clinics have partnered with the University of Iowa College of Public Health to participate in the five-year study. The STRIDE (Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders) study is funded by the National Institutes of Aging and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Mercy’s participation is part of a larger national study with nine other health care institutions. Each year, 1 out of 3 adults age 65 and older falls, with one-third of those falls resulting in moderate to severe injuries. STRIDE will enroll 6,000 elderly adults who are at risk of falls. Patients will be followed for two years, on average, to determine whether the interventions have been effective.