title: Epidemiology of falls in older adults in Texas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The expected increase in the US older adult population implies an increased risk of fall-related injury among these individuals. We describe the epidemiology of fall morbidity among older adults in Texas, a large US state with a diverse population base.
  
  
  METHODS
  Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2010 data were analyzed. The falls outcome was defined as falling: any fall in the past 3 months and a serious fall: a fall resulting in limited activities for at least 1 day or requiring medical attention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 5996 subjects were included in this analysis; 17.6% (n = 1055) reported falling 1 to 5 times in the previous 3 months, and 361 (6%) experienced serious falls. Risk of falling had a significant positive association among respondents who rated their general health as fair to poor (relative risk [RR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-3.68) and a negative association for those who reported regular physical activity (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.42-0.82). A similar model examined the risk of serious falls and found statistically positive associations in respondents who reported fair or poor general health (RR 3.29, 95% CI 2.00-5.43). Negative associations were found for those who reported regular physical activity (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.83) and for men (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.98). No statistically significant correlations for either of the fall outcomes were found with residence, obesity, education, income, age, ethnicity, employment, marital status, diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions aimed at the prevention of falls should focus on maintaining and improving general health and promoting physical activity among older adults.
authors: From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, and the Division of Health Statistics, National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors: Hasanat
authors: H
authors: Alamgir
authors: From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, and the Division of Health Statistics, National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors: Nicole J
authors: NJ
authors: Wong
authors: From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, and the Division of Health Statistics, National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors: Yueha
authors: Y
authors: Hu
authors: From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, and the Division of Health Statistics, National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors: Mo
authors: M
authors: Yu
authors: From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, and the Division of Health Statistics, National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Marshall
authors: From the Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio, and the Division of Health Statistics, National Center for Public Health Surveillance and Information Services, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors: Shicheng
authors: S
authors: Yu
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology