Gender differences for non-fatal unintentional fall related injuries among older adults
Open Access
- 1 April 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by BMJ in Injury Prevention
- Vol. 11 (2), 115-119
- https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.2004.005835
Abstract
Objectives: To quantify gender differences for non-fatal unintentional fall related injuries among US adults age 65 years and older treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Methods: The authors analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of ED visits for January 2001 through December 2001, available through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP). For each initial ED visit, coders record one principal diagnosis (usually the most severe) and one primary part of the body affected. Results: Based on 22 560 cases, an estimated 1.64 million older adults were treated in EDs for unintentional fall injuries. Of these, approximately 1.16 million, or 70.5%, were women. Fractures, contusions/abrasions, and lacerations accounted for more than three quarters of all injuries. Rates for injury diagnoses were generally higher among women, most notably for fractures which were 2.2 times higher than for men. For all parts of the body, women’s injury rates exceeded those of men. Rate ratios were greatest for injuries of the leg/foot (2.3), arm/hand (2.0), and lower trunk (2.0). The hospitalization rate for women was 1.8 times that for men. Conclusions: Among older adults, non-fatal fall related injuries disproportionately affected women. Much is known about effective fall prevention strategies. We need to refine, promote, and implement these interventions. Additional research is needed to tailor interventions for different populations and to determine gender differences in the underlying causes and/or circumstances of falls. This information is vital for developing and implementing targeted fall prevention strategies.Keywords
This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit:
- Population based study of hospitalised fall related injuries in older peopleInjury Prevention, 2002
- Do the Risks and Consequences of Hospitalized Fall Injuries Among Older Adults in California Vary by Type of Fall?The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 2001
- Gait variability and fall risk in community-living older adults: A 1-year prospective studyArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2001
- Geriatric Falls: Injury Severity Is High and Disproportionate to MechanismJournal Of Trauma-Injury Infection and Critical Care, 2001
- Traumatic Brain Injuries Evaluated in U.S. Emergency Departments, 1992‐1994Academic Emergency Medicine, 2000
- Do Elderly Women Have More Physical Disability than Men Do?American Journal of Epidemiology, 1999
- The cost and frequency of hospitalization for fall-related injuries in older adults.American Journal of Public Health, 1992
- Risk Factors for Injurious Falls: a Prospective StudyJournal of Gerontology, 1991
- Examination by logistic regression modelling of the variables which increase the relative risk of elderly women falling compared to elderly menJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 1990
- Differential changes in bone mineral density of the appendicular and axial skeleton with aging: relationship to spinal osteoporosis.JCI Insight, 1981