UNINTENTIONAL FALLS IN N.C. (North Carolina Residents)

■ Falls are a leading cause of injury for North Carolinians.
■ 609 people died from falls in North Carolina in 2007.
■ Falls resulted in over 193,000 emergency department (ED) visits in N.C. in 2007.
■ Falls were the number-one cause of injury-related ED visits in 2007.
■ According to hospital discharge data, on average, those who suffered a fall in 2006 paid more than $21,000 for hospital care.

AGE, GENDER, RACE AND OUTCOME OF FALL INJURIES:

Women account for 30% more ED visits from injuries than do men.

The death rate due to falls in N.C. among the white population in 2007 was almost three times that of African Americans.

Eight percent of people who go to the emergency department for a fall are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.


OLDER ADULT FALLS IN N.C. (North Carolina Residents)

■ Falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries (2000-2007) and the 2nd leading cause of non-fatal injury hospitalizations (2004-2005) for people over age 65 in North Carolina.
■ In 2007, the death rate due to falls for people age 65 and older was 23 times the rate for those under 65.
■ In 2007, only 12% of North Carolinians were age 65 years and older, but accounted for 76% of fall-related deaths.
■ In adults age 65 and over, the hospitalization rate for injuries from falls is 16 times greater than the rate from motor-vehicle related injuries (2006).
■ Every year, more than one-third of N.C adults age 65 and older have a fall that causes an injury. (NC BRFSS, 2006).
■ 10% to 20% of falls that happen to people living in nursing homes result in severe injury (CDC).
■ The hospitalization rate due to unintentional falls in adults age 65 and over increased by 15% between 2000 and 2006.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!
75% of North Carolina's counties are projected to have more people over the age of 59 than people under the age of 18 by the year 2030. This shift in the percentage of older adults will result in a falls "epidemic" unless North Carolina addresses the issue systematically across all sectors.
State of North Carolina • Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health • www.ncdhhs.gov • www.ncpublichealth.com
N.C. DHHS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
North Carolina Injury and Violence Prevention Branch