Wearable Airbags: Investigating Attitudes Towards Inflatable Hip Protectors

Andrews, Simon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1092-8158 (2024) Wearable Airbags: Investigating Attitudes Towards Inflatable Hip Protectors. In: Design 4 Health 2024 conference: Equilibrium in a time of permacrisis, 25 – 27 June 2024, Sheffield. (Submitted)

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Abstract / Summary

This paper explores new technologies applied to hip protector (HP) garments worn by people at risk of falls to reduce the risk of hip fractures. The research relates to a practice-based PhD investigating ways to develop more effective HP products, especially for women who are most at risk of fracturing a hip (Stevens 2005). Hip fractures can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and lead to a rapid decline in health and increased dependency, especially for older people (Royal College of Physicians 2018). Over 3.5 million people living with osteoporosis in the UK, a disease that causes low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, are at higher risk of fragility fractures, including hip fractures (NICE 2017). Indeed, one in two women over 50 will break a bone because of the condition (Royal Osteoporosis Society 2022).

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