Among Older Americans, Falls Becoming More Fatal
“In 2000, the rate of deadly falls was 52 per 100,000 people. In 2016, that rate of death rose to 111 per 100,000.”
According to a new study, falls among Americans 75 or over are becoming more deadly. This statistic is made even more tragic due to the fact that many of these fatal falls are preventable.
The study published in the medical journal JAMA found that the mortality rate for falls for seniors 75 and up has more than doubled from 2000 to 2016. Researchers behind the study analyzed information from death certificates held by the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2000, the rate of deadly falls was 52 per 100,000 people. In 2016, that rate of death rose to 111 per 100,000.
Reasons for Rise in Death Rate Due to Falls Is Not Yet Known
According to health scientist Elizabeth Burns of the CDC, who was an author of the study, the reasons for such a pronounced rise in the fall death rate remains somewhat mysterious.
“The most likely reason is that people are living longer with conditions that in the past they might have died from,” she said. In addition, she continued, older adults are on medications that increase their risk of falling. Women are slightly more likely to fall than men, but men are slightly more likely to die as a result of a fall.
When a Fall Is an Accident
Every fall taken by an elderly person is serious. Some falls are accidental--but others are accidents resulting from negligence. As personal injury lawyers experienced in both elder care law and slip and fall litigation, we represent victims of falls caused by the carelessness or negligence of another party.
PA, NJ & DE Personal Injury Law Firm
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a serious fall, please call us immediately for a free consultation toll-free at 215-462-3330 or by using our online contact form.
