In “The Broken Hip,” KERA revealed how an ordinary injury — a hip fracture — is too often a death sentence for an older person. In the eight-part series, health reporter Lauren Silverman laid out the problem through sensitive and compelling stories, but also gave listeners insight on prevention and new research. When an older person falls and breaks a hip, it’s a moment that changes everything. Not just for patients, but for their families, too. Falls are the leading cause of death for older Americans. One of every five people who breaks a hip after age 50 dies within a year. Using these and other staggering statistics as a base, KERA told the stories of families, caregivers and survivors across North Texas. Through a son who lost his father just days after a broken hip, Silverman explored the fractured and often inadequate structure of the health care system. Through the story of a woman who refused to move into a nursing home after a fall, KERA explored new home design and technology to help the elderly “age-in-place.” Interviews with long-distance caregivers gave voice to millions of adult children who travel across the country to assist their aging parents. Each personal story in “The Broken Hip” served as a gateway to complex medical and political reporting on hip fractures. From vast discrepancies in hip repair costs across the country to the past and future of hip fracture surgery. The Broken Hip’s digital presentation takes readers through eight chapters, exploring personal stories of patients, the challenges their families face, and the perspective of doctors who work to heal hip fractures. The digital project includes videos of people featured in the series, an interactive graphic showing how to avoid falling in your bedroom, and graphics that explore the history of hip replacement techniques.
