Programs that protect and improve the health of the community through the use of public health nurses whose services are available through departments of public health, schools and voluntary agencies, typically in connection with medical programs supervised by physicians. Activities may include home visits to provide nursing under medical supervision for acutely ill patients and people who are chronically ill; outreach to populations who may not seek out health care through a traditional medical facility; support for physicians in public health clinics and disease detection programs; first aid and screening programs for school children; nutrition counseling; family planning information and a wide range of health education and prevention programs for the community at large which deal with personal health practices that can help to prevent illness.

Programs that are designed to increase public awareness of the risk factors associated with trips, slips and falls by older adults and others in and around their homes and the measures that can be taken prevent their occurrence. Delivery formats may include fact sheets, safety check lists or other informational materials; individual or group educational sessions which may include strength and balance exercises; and general media campaigns. The programs may address illnesses and other physical conditions that affect mobility and balance; "high-risk" medications or medication combinations that may cause drowsiness; lack or improper use of needed mobility aids; proper versus improper footwear; environmental safety hazards such as unsafe or unlighted stairways, uneven or slippery walking surfaces, obstacles such as throw rugs and exposed cords or wires, unsteady furniture or lack of grab bars and handrails; and other similar factors.

Programs that conduct home inspections to assess and make recommendations to eliminate potentially hazardous conditions and to ensure that the individual or family has a plan to deal with emergencies should they arise. Safety evaluation programs often target homes with children or elderly residents and focus on dangerous rugs or floors, fire hazards, unsanitary or unsafe kitchens or bathrooms, poor lighting, unsafe storage of medication and other toxic materials, hazardous placement of kitchen equipment and other tools, access barriers in the home or yard and other discernible problems.