Mortality and morbidity related to injuries from falls in British Columbia.
Falls are a major health problem for persons aged 65 years and over. This study examined differences in patterns of fall-related injuries and deaths between age groups, sexes, and among Health Regions of BC. For those under the age of 65 years, fall-related injuries are highest among males, whereas for those 65 and over, falls among females exceed those among males by 2:1. For persons aged 65 and over, 84% of hospital days for unintentional injuries involve falls, with transportation and "other" unintentional injuries contributing 16%. While older women are hospitalized more often for fall-related injuries, more older men die from fall-related injuries. Hospitalization rates due to injuries from falls are highest in the Northern Regions of BC. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Scott
V J
VJ
Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, BC. vscott@uvic.ca
Gallagher
E M
EM
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*