Britain’s NHS offers tai chi to the elderly in order to cut hip fractures

Britain’s NHS is offering free tai-chi classes as part of a campaign to halve the number of elderly people who fall and fracture their hips. Up to 14 000 people a year die in the UK as a result of a hip fracture, whilst 50% of older people who fall over can no longer live independently. The NHS spends £1.7 billion a year on treating fractures from falling. The project is underway in Northampton, England, in the hope of improving strength and balance in the elderly.

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2003/12/22/eline/links/20031222elin014.html