CDC Report: Senior Death Rate from Accidental Falls is Rising
According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Health Statistics, death rates due to falls are rising among older adults.
The CDC found that fall death rates among adults aged 65 and older rose significantly between 2003 and 2023. In 2023, the accidental fall death rate for adults aged 65 and older was 69.9 per 100,000 population, and the rates for both men and women increased with age.
Key findings from the report include:
- For seniors aged 65 to 74, the mortality rates from accidental falls increased by more than 70%.
- For seniors aged 75 to 84, the mortality rates from accidental falls increased by more than 75%.
- For seniors aged 85 and up, the mortality rates from accidental falls more than doubled.
The data indicates that these rising rates affect some groups more than others. For each age group, the unintentional fall death rate was higher for men compared with women. In addition, White non-Hispanic older adults had the highest mortality rate from accidental falls, while Black non-Hispanic older adults had the lowest rate.
As mortality rates from unintentional falls continue to increase, we must take action to prevent these accidents and protect our seniors. Physical and occupational therapists can offer preventative care to avoid senior falls. Physical therapy helps seniors maintain strength and regain stability, enabling them to maintain their independence to move through their communities.
Congress must pass solutions to help improve safety for older adults in America. The bipartisan Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 1171) would ensure access to a no-cost falls risk assessment and prevention services through Medicare’s annual wellness benefit. By expanding access to falls screening and prevention, we can ensure that older adults stay safe and prevent senior deaths due to accidental falls.
To read the full report, click HERE.