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Facts About Falling

Woman on stretcher with medics

Facts

  1. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults aged 65 and older.1
  2. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older, and the fall death rate is increasing.2
  3. In the United States, over 14 million, or one in four, adults ages 65 and older (older adults), report falling each year,3 but less than half tell their doctor.5
  4. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.4
  5. One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.6,7
  6. Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.1
  7. In every age category (from <1 through 65+), the leading cause of nonfatal injury in the USA is an unintentional fall.1
  8. Over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.1
  9. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling,8 usually by falling sideways.9
  10. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).10

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web–based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online].
  2. Kakara RS, Lee R, Eckstrom EN. Cause-Specific Mortality Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years in the United States, 1999 Through 2020. Public Health Rep. 2023 Mar 11:333549231155869. DOI: 10.1177/00333549231155869. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36905313.
  3. Kakara R, Bergen G, Burns E, Stevens M. Nonfatal and Fatal Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years—United States, 2020–2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2023;72:938–943. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7235a1.
  4. O’Loughlin J et al. Incidence of and risk factors for falls and injurious falls among the community-dwelling elderly. American journal of epidemiology, 1993, 137:342-54.
  5. Stevens JA, Ballesteros MF, Mack KA, Rudd RA, DeCaro E, Adler G. Gender differences in seeking care for falls in the aged Medicare Population. Am J Prev Med 2012;43:59–62.
  6. Alexander BH, Rivara FP, Wolf ME. The cost and frequency of hospitalization for fall–related injuries in older adults. American Journal of Public Health 1992;82(7):1020–3.
  7. Sterling DA, O’Connor JA, Bonadies J. Geriatric falls: injury severity is high and disproportionate to mechanism. Journal of Trauma–Injury, Infection and Critical Care 2001;50(1):116–9.
  8. Hayes WC, Myers ER, Morris JN, Gerhart TN, Yett HS, Lipsitz LA. Impact near the hip dominates fracture risk in elderly nursing home residents who fall. Calcif Tissue Int 1993;52:192-198.
  9. Parkkari J, Kannus P, Palvanen M, Natri A, Vainio J, Aho H, Vuori I, Järvinen M. Majority of hip fractures occur as a result of a fall and impact on the greater trochanter of the femur: a prospective controlled hip fracture study with 206 consecutive patients. Calcif Tissue Int, 1999;65:183–7.
  10. Jager TE, Weiss HB, Coben JH, Pepe PE. Traumatic brain injuries evaluated in U.S. emergency departments, 1992–1994. Academic Emergency Medicine 2000&359;7(2):134–40.

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At Balanceable, we’re dedicated to improving lives through enhanced balance and mobility. Our Balance therapy and Fall Prevention program is a testament to this commitment. We invite you to visit us and experience the transformative power of balance. Let’s work together to enhance physical performance, prevent falls and create a safer, healthier future for you.

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